Offshore vessel equipped for bigger parts
Jan De Nul Group has ordered its third Offshore Jack-Up Installation Vessel with crane capacity of over 3,000t to enable it to handle increasingly larger offshore wind parts.
The Voltaire is specifically designed to transport, lift and install offshore wind turbines, transition pieces and foundations. In addition to its main crane being able to handle more than 3,000t, the vessel has an operating depth of approximately 80m, a payload of about 14,000t and is equipped with a DP2 system. The vessel has four legs to lift itself above the sea level and, including the extended main crane, has a total height of 325m.
Philippe Hutse, offshore director at Jan De Nul Group: “Upon her delivery in 2022, we will be capable of efficiently installing the next generation of offshore wind turbine generators and foundations.”
Tall order
The next generation of offshore wind turbines can be more than 270m high and are fitted with blades of 120m long. Offshore installation vessels currently available on the market are facing increasing difficulties to install these types of turbines due to the turbines’ sizes and installation heights, as well as the ever-increasing foundation dimensions.
Jan De Nul Group designed the Voltaire to run on gasoil, but it features a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). It also has almost 100% more deck space than Jan De Nul’s two other jack-up vessels, the Vole au vent and the Taillevent. This will enable efficient installations at sea, alongside lower fuel consumption and emissions.
The Voltaire will be the very first seagoing installation vessel of its kind to be an Ultra-Low Emission vessel (ULEv) and EURO STAGE V certified.
By Rebecca Jeffrey
