Chinese shipbuilder Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries has floated out a new jackup wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) to be fitted with a 3,500-tonne leg-encircling crane.
Upon completion, Zhengli 3500 will be able to operate in water depths of 70 metres thanks to the installation of four piling legs. A DP2 system and a smaller 350-tonne auxiliary crane will also be fitted.
The WTIV will be fitted with an electric propulsion system driving three 3,500kW azimuthing thrusters at the stern. Two 3,000kW side thrusters and one 3,000kW retractable thruster will be operated in conjunction with the DP2 system to ensure accurate positioning during installation works in offshore waters.
A 300-tonne high-thrust pile gripper will meanwhile enable the WTIV to install monopiles with diameters of up to 13 metres each.
Zhengli 3500 will be used mainly for the transport and installation of offshore wind turbines of up to 20 MW capacity as well as related components.