DEME Lays Keel Of First Dedicated Service Operation Vessel For Offshore Wind Farm Maintenance
DEME is making its first ever Service Operation Vessel (SOV) for the maintenance of wind farm. It is doing so in order to be able to provide a complete package of services to the offshore wind industry, ranging from installation to maintenance.
It is a concept by DEME and is designed in cooperation with Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam and Marin. This unique vessel enhances safety, comfort and workability for the technicians who work in the wind farms even during harsh conditions at sea.
On December 13th, the keel laying ceremony took place at the CEMRE shipyard in Yalova, Turkey.
The SOV will have a Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) design that will make sure the effect of low waves in movements when moving towards the wind turbines in comparision to a monohull SOV. The vessel will also allow secure transfer of crew in wave heights of about 2.5m. It will be the world’s first DP2, twin-hulled SOV.
The SOV is 60 m long. It will be featured with a motion-compensated gangway and daughter craft for the secure transfer of technicians to the wind turbines thus, raising the workability and capabilities of the vessel logistics. It is also designed keeping in view the latest standards of comfort thus, making the vessel a homely offshore base for about 24 technicians and a nautical crew.
The environmental aspects are a major part of the design of the vessel along with a waste heat recovery system and a Clean Design notation. The vessel with the DP2 technology can hold it’s place in harsh sea conditions and still continue to operate by consuming 50% less fuel in comparison to the traditional SOVs.
“We believe the twin-hulled design, a motion compensated gangway and dynamic positioning is a winning combination and will further reduce the costs of wind farm maintenance, especially compared to large monohulls reaching similar workability,” says Michael Glavind, Business Unit Director DEME Offshore. “With this first SOV joining our fleet, we further strengthen our capabilities to offer the full offshore wind package, from installation to maintenance.”
Long-term charter agreement with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy
As a part of a long-term maintenance contract for the Rentel and Mermaid & Seastar (referred as SeaMade) offshore wind farms in Belgium, SOV that is scheduled to be delivered in 2021 will be chartered by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. This will be the first ever SOV that will work for three different wind farm sites.
“We keep innovating in offshore service logistics, this SOV is the next proof point: we are and keep being front movers with this pitstop concept to perform service with one SOV at three windfarms, comments Rene Wigmans, Siemens Gamesa’s Head of Maritime and Aviation Solutions.”
Reference: deme-group
