German Shipyard Constructs Jack-Up for Wind Farm

Sietas is to be the first German shipyard to develop and build a jack-up vessel used for offshore wind farm installation. The order, which was signed Dec. 8 in Hamburg, comes from Dutch-based marine contractor Van Oord. In addition, Van Oord has placed an option for a second ship of the same type. No details have been released as to the purchase price. The time elapsing between development and delivery to Van Oord, in September 2012, of this innovative jack-up vessel will be just 21 months. The construction phase is scheduled to last one year.

“We are delighted to have won this order, as it provides us with an entry point into the growth market that is the offshore wind industry. Naturally, it also gives us great pride to have beaten off tough competition from the Netherlands, China and the United Arab Emirates," said Rüdiger Fuchs, CEO of the Sietas Group. The formula for success: Sietas will be acting as architect and integrator of the entire ship, supplying the offshore crane via Neuenfelder Maschinenfabrik (NMF), which also forms part of the Sietas Group, and guarantees the performance of its product.

The Sietas jack-up vessel has been developed for use in offshore wind farms. It has a loading capacity of up to 6.500 tdw and can work safely in depths of up to 45 metres. Thanks to its self-loading capacity and jacking system, which also maintains the ship in a stable position even in heavy seas, it can work reliably and quickly. This innovative Type 187 special ship will measure 139 metres in length and 38 metres in width. It will have a 5.7-metre draught and be capable of travelling at a speed of 12 knots. Neuenfelder Maschinenfabrik (NMF), which also forms part of the Sietas Group, will equip the ship with a special offshore crane with an outreach of 30 metres, capable of lifting 900 tonnes and of operating at a height of up to approximately 120 metres above water level. When performing installations in wind energy farms, the special ship will be able to accommodate 74 crew members in single and double cabins