Norway’s Ulstein group has revealed a new design for a wind farm foundation installation ship promising ‘ultra-high’ crane capacity.
The 230-metre Ulstein HX122 vessel feature an 8,000-tonne crane to cope with the next generation of offshore facilities.
“The significant shortage of foundation installation vessels as projected by market analysts and brokers calls for immediate action,” the company said.
The new design will allow operators and contractors to efficiently transport and install monopiles or jacket foundations of up to 5,000 tonnes, Ulstein added.
Clarksons Securities has said foundation installation tonnage is needed quickly, but the ship type is “the most under-ordered segment in offshore wind”.
“We identified and addressed that issue already some years ago,” said Nick Wessels, marketing and sales manager at Ulstein Design & Solutions.
“Based on extensive market studies we developed what we believe is the most efficient solution for the industry, the Ulstein HX118 design,” he added.
But the likelihood of future projects needed even bigger capacity vessels prompted the new blueprint, Wessels said.
“Significant research and development effort has been put into the development of our heavy lift vessel portfolio, working closely with industry partners on mission equipment integration, operability performance and lowering CO2 emissions, creating safer and more efficient installation vessels using proven technologies,” added Ko Stroo, the company’s product manager.
The ship will have 10,000 m2 of deck area and be able to house 180 personnel.
Earlier this month, Damen Shipyards of the Netherlands also said it was working on new ship designs for the wind sector.
These will be aimed at turbine installation for floating offshore wind farms.
