DP2 Heavy-lift Vessels Deployed to Ship Steel Structures for Van Oord
Jumbo Offshore, part of the Netherlands-headquartered Jumbo Group, has been hired by dredging and offshore specialist Van Oord to transport and install transition pieces (TPs) for the Baltic Eagle offshore wind farm in Germany.
The project, which began in October, calls for the TPs – steel tubular structures used to connect the wind turbine generator to the monopile – to be shipped from the marshaling yard to the wind farm site some 28 km off the northeast coast of the German island of Rügen, in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania.
The 50-turbine, 476-megawatt Baltic Eagle wind farm is being built by Iberdrola, with commissioning slated for next year’s first quarter.
According to Iberdrola, the TPs have been stored at the ferry port of Sassnitz on Rügen. The monopiles are being delivered from EEW’s factory at nearby Rostock.
“To date, Jumbo Offshore has transported and installed over 400 transition pieces with our DP2 heavy lift vessels,” said Brian Boutkan, commerce manager at Jumbo Offshore.
“After working together on the Arkona offshore wind farm, we are looking forward to working for Van Oord again. This project award shows the continuation of our focus in the offshore wind industry with our efficient T&I solutions as well as the trust of our clients on our capabilities and equipment.”
Strengthening the Fleet
In related news, SAL Heavy Lift – a member of the Harren Group and Jumbo’s partner in the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance – is beefing up its fleet and expanding its project cargo capabilities with two “super modern” semi-submersible deck carriers.
The 26,000 deadweight-ton Zhong Ren 121 and Zhong Ren 122 will be chartered on a long-term basis with Chinese partner Shanghai Salvage and marketed through the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance.
Delivery is expected between December 2023 and February 2024.
“We don’t use the term ‘milestone’ lightly – but, in this case, it’s more than appropriate. This project is extremely important to us as a group, both commercially and strategically,” said Dr Martin Harren, CEO of SAL Heavy Lift and the Harren Group.
“Our combined MPP and heavy lift fleet, which currently comprises 54 units, is one of the world’s leading fleets. We offer our customers the most powerful heavy-lift vessels in the world. However, the truth remains that the demands and requirements of our clients – especially in the offshore wind sector – are becoming increasingly extensive and complex. These two new additions give us the opportunity to meet and possibly even exceed these requirements. Customers will benefit from more choices and better solutions.”
Following delivery, SAL will use the two vessels for cargo shipments from Asia to Europe, after which they will be deployed for an unnamed, offshore wind project in the U.S.
TOP PHOTO: Jumbo Offshore HLV Fairplayer, TP installation. CREDIT: Jumbo Offshore
SECOND: Jumbo Offshore HLV Fairplayer with TPs. CREDIT: Jumbo Offshore
THIRD: MV Zhong Ren 122. CREDIT: SAL Heavy Lift
