Offshore Wind

Service operation vessels (SOV) are reliable platforms for wind farm support operations. We also have larger designs for wind farm installations.

Cable lay vessel designs for telecom, infield, power cables and umbilical.

With the newly developed ULSTEIN X-JACK heavy lift jack-up designs Ulstein presents its answer to the offshore wind industry’s need for fit-for-purpose, cost efficient yet future proof wind turbine installation vessels.

With the dawn of the new 12MW offshore wind turbines, installation capacities of the current, third generation wind turbine installation vessels will be pushed to the limits and beyond. A new generation of jack-up vessels is necessary to serve the future offshore wind industry.

Acta Auriga was contracted to work at the offshore wind farm BARD Offshore 1: “Ocean Breeze Energy decided on this vessel due to a favourable combination of capability, capacity, design and fuel consumption. The delivery precision from Ulstein was also important.”

Subsea rock installation (SRI) vessels are widely used in the offshore industry, stabilising and protecting subsea pipelines, cables and other structures at the sea bed. For the offshore wind industry, SRI vessels also lay protective coverings of rock around turbine foundations, to avoid scouring.

Offshore Wind Farms are being established further from shore. At some point, overnight stays for the service technicians become necessary, and the transport normally done by Crew Transfer Vessels must be replaced by other transport tools. SOVs are becoming the new standard.

The shipping industry is transitioning towards reduced emissions and improved energy efficiency. Whether integrated in a novel design, or retrofitted, a solution supporting the transition should be the best compromise between operational needs, forming a good balance between cost and benefit.

The offshore wind market is an abundant source of renewable energy. To reach international climate goals, major markets around the world have set goals to increase their percentage of renewable sources in their domestic electricity consumption. Consequently, many offshore wind farms are currently being established.