Wind Installation Vessel
Maersk Supply Service’s pioneering new design
Maersk Supply Service has designed and commissioned a first-of-its-kind Wind Installation Vessel (WIV) that will make the installation of bottom-fixed offshore wind turbines up to 30% faster than the conventional jack-up method.
Developed inhouse, this innovative new methodology will see the WIV stationed permanently at a windfarm to carry out successive installations, while tugs and barges ferry the turbine components out to the installation site. These will be delivered to the WIV using a patented load transfer system that will enable safe transfer of cargo.
How it works
The key to efficiency lies in fact that the Wind Installation Vessel stays on-site for assembly, while only the tugs and barges shuttle back and forth with the turbine components.
There are four steps to the new methodology:
- Barge docks at our new on-location Wind Installation Vessel;
- Locking system engages to stabilise the barge;
- Tray with turbine components is elevated off the barge and locking system retracts, releasing the barge;
- Tower, nacelle and blades are assembled using a standard method.
Building the Wind Installation Vessel
The WIV will be built in Singapore by SembCorp Marine, with the steel-cutting ceremony set for Q4 2022. The jacking units, load transfer system and crane will be provided by NOV, and the design work has been supported by class society ABS. Delivery of the vessel into U.S. waters is expected in 2025.
Design advantages
Empire Wind
Supporting our newbuild investment, Maersk Supply Service has been awarded a firm contract for the installation of offshore wind park Empire Wind 1.
A joint venture between Equinor and bp, the wind park will be located 15-30 miles southeast of Long Island and span 80,000 acres, with a total installed capacity of over 2 GW (816 + 1,260 MW). Once completed, it will power more 1 million New York homes.
