Figure 52 Substation installation vessel, courtesy of ScottishPower Renewables.
Function
The substation installation vessel allows the transport and lift of offshore substation, in order to position it on pre-installed foundation.
What it costs*
Included in the substation installation contract.
Who supplies them
Operators include Bonn & Mees, Heerema, Huisman, Saipem, Scaldis Salvage & Marine, Seajacks, Seaway 7 and ZPMC.
Key facts
Four main types of vessel may be used:
- Sheerleg crane vessel
- Barge
- Heavy lift vessel, and
- Semisubmersible vessel.
The choice of vessel is likely to be driven by market factors and, in many cases, the vessels serve other markets. As a result, there has been little investment in vessels for the offshore wind market specifically.
Heavy lift vessels used in offshore wind include Rambiz, Stanislav Yudin and Samson.
Crane ratings are from 900 t to over 3,000 t.
What’s in it
- Crane
- Auxiliary cranes
- Dynamic positioning system
- Propulsion systems
- Helideck
- Gangway