Recently, the wind power installation vessel (WTIV) built by Seatrium for Maersk Offshore Wind was successfully launched. The vessel is designed for the installation of wind turbines over 20MW.
Designed to be 145 meters long and 83.2 meters wide, with a main crane lifting capacity of 1,900 tons, the Danish-flagged WTIV will be permanently deployed at offshore wind farms for continuous installation and will transport offshore wind turbine components to and from the port of loading using specially built tugboats and barges. The vessel is equipped with a stabilization system for securing the barge for transferring the equipment and has 100 cabins and a gangway for walking operations.
The new WTIV is based on pioneering design and patented technology. Maersk’s new locking and stabilising mechanism ensures safe and efficient operations in harsh environments, while specialised feeder vessels streamline component transportation and comply with the Jones Act.
It is reported that Maersk Supply Service placed an order with Seatrium for a large WTIV in March 2022, and construction will start in the fourth quarter of 2022, with delivery expected in 2025. In addition, the supporting tugboats and barges will be built by Bollinger Shipyards, the largest private shipyard in the United States, and owned and operated by Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) of the United States, with delivery scheduled for 2026.
The installation vessel’s first assignment was to install offshore wind turbines for the Empire Wind offshore wind project developed by Equinor. However, Equinor has recently received a cease and desist order from the U.S. government to halt offshore construction of the Empire Wind 1 project on the Outer Continental Shelf, and the permit will be reviewed, leading to significant uncertainty in the construction of the project.
In April of this year, Maersk Offshore Wind predicted that more vessels would be ordered in the future. But with the U.S. market likely to stagnate, Maersk has had to look to Europe and other regions that continue to advance offshore wind projects.