Dutch firm to design Jones Act-compliant offshore wind feeder ship

Photo: C-Job

Netherlands-based C-Job Naval Architects is currently developing a new feeder vessel optimised for the transport of offshore wind turbines and their related components.

The vessel will be designed in compliance with the requirements of the US Jones Act to make it available to serve clients in the US East Coast offshore wind market.

The vessel will feature an L-shaped superstructure to enable the transport of all wind turbine components, including the blades, while keeping the ship itself relatively compact to minimise construction and operational costs. To maximise workability and allow for safe lifting of the components, the vessel will also have a specially designed motion compensation system by Ampelmann.

C-Job said the vessel will be designed for safe lifting operations in sea states up to 2.5 metres significant wave height.

The wind turbine components will be arranged on the ship with a quick connect grip- and glide system. Cargo pallets can be placed on deck quickly with the help of this quick connect system.

Once the feeder vessel is at its destination, the system will slide the components into place to connect to the motion compensator. The Ampelmann system will then compensate all vessel motions so the crane operator can lift turbine components in a similar fashion to an onshore lift.

The feeder vessel will be used to bring turbine components to the site, where a dedicated vessel will carry out the turbine installation work.


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