Van Oord expanding offshore wind installation vessel fleet

Van Oord has commissioned Yantai CIMC Raffles in China to build a jack-up vessel which can install up to 20-MW offshore wind turbines and foundations.

Designed by Knud E Hansen, the jack-up vessel is expected to enter the market in 2024 and will work under the Dutch flag.

The new 175-metre (574-foot) offshore installation vessel will be purpose-built to transport and install foundations and turbines at offshore wind farms. Huisman will supply a crane which can lift more than 3,000 metric tons (3,306 tons).

According to Van Oord, the vessel will have an advanced jacking system. Four giant legs, each measuring 126 metres (413 feet), will allow the vessel to be jacked up and work in waters up to 70 metres (230 feet) deep.

The vessel is expected to run on methanol, which will reduce the ship’s CO₂ footprint by more than 78%, the company claimed. In addition, the vessel will be equipped with a selective catalytic reduction system to reduce the NOx emissions. Plus, an installed 5,000 kWh battery pack can take the peak loads and regenerate energy to reduce the fuel consumption (and corresponding emissions) even further.

Van Oord currently has three jack-up installation vessels: the Aeolus, MPI Resolution, and MPI Adventure.

According to Arnoud Kuis, managing director of Van Oord Offshore Wind, the new jack-up vessel will have 88% more deck space and over 80% more lifting capacity than the Aeolus.

The new vessel is part of the company’s five-year, €1-billion ($1.2-billion) fleet investment programme.

The company has also taken an option on a second vessel. Last December, Van Oord ordered a cable-laying vessel from VARD in Norway.

Source: Offshore Magazine