PowerChina harsh-environment crane vessel deploys on first project

A new harsh-environment crane vessel recently delivered to the Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) has deployed on its inaugural project.

Dianjian Zhigao's (“Power Construction Zhigao”) initial deployment was at the Three Gorges Yangjiang Qingzhou offshore wind farm, where it was used to install pile foundations.

Built by Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC), Dianjian Zhigao has a streamlined hull design and an eight-point mooring positioning system that enables high-precision work in waters up to 100 metres deep.

Equipped with unrestricted navigation capabilities, the vessel was independently designed and engineered by ZPMC to be capable of installation and construction even under extreme conditions. The vessel itself was built to be capable of withstanding wave heights of 12 metres.

The vessel's crane can lift loads up to 130 metres above the main deck and can install objects with significantly improved accuracy (with errors exceeding no more than 10 cm). This makes it ideal for installing 25MW offshore wind turbine foundations, including jacket structures, as well as offshore substations and large marine structures.

Because installation can be undertaken within a broader weather safety window, construction of offshore wind farms will have a reduced risk of delays, thus ensuring projects can be completed sooner.

PowerChina said that Dianjian Zhigao can install an offshore wind turbine within two to three days, which is around 30 per cent faster than what was possible with earlier generations of crane vessels.