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MacGregor and Kongsberg Maritime develop Alfa Lift pile gripper

By: Tom Russell 20/10/2020 Kongsberg Maritime

General Vessels

Kongsberg Maritime (KM) has signed a new contract with MacGregor to deliver a Pile Gripper Guidance System (PGGS) for OHT's new heavy installation crane vessel Alfa Lift.

Scheduled for delivery in 2021, Alfa Liftwill be the world’s largest custom-built offshore wind foundation installation vessel, equipped with a 3,000t main crane. The ship’s 10,000 m² ‘smart’ deck will carry up to 14 XL monopiles per voyage and will also be fully submersible to a depth of 14.66m.

Under the terms of the contract, MacGregor will deliver a motion-compensated pile gripper frame, while KONGSBERG’s PGGS will integrate the gripper with the many other KM systems on board the vessel. A K-Pos dual-redundant dynamic positioning system will interface with a K-Chief marine automation system and K-Thrust thruster control system. This is expected to bring technical and economic benefits which result from the integration of a vessel’s monitoring and control functions, while a K-Bridge integrated navigation system will provide a single, intuitive user interface for the ship’s multiple connected systems. A full suite of K-Power products will accommodate the main switchboard, generators and drives, while KM’s azimuth and tunnel thrusters will take care of the vessel’s propulsion, steering and positioning thrust.

Kongsberg Maritime and MacGregor have both been working in close collaboration to develop this new, integrated monopile installation solution, incorporating KM’s automated handling functionality. By removing the need for temporary mooring procedures during installation operations, the solution aims to enhance safety, productivity and mission consistency.

“Working with Kongsberg Maritime and OHT on this solution has been a mutually rewarding process,” says Kristina Arutjunova, Director Sales and Marketing Innovations, MacGregor. “We’re significantly raising the bar for safety, sustainability, precision and efficiency by dispensing with so many of the challenges traditionally posed by complex offshore operations of this nature.”

“This order secures KM’s role as a leading technology provider for heavy offshore vessels,” adds Birger Evensen, Sales Director Offshore, Kongsberg Maritime. Evensen added: “Working closely with MacGregor, we have developed an innovative solution that improves the efficiency of foundation installation vessels by replacing lengthy, temporary mooring processes with full DP, in combination with an integrated guidance system and hydraulic frame mechanism.

“The interdependence such enterprises require will benefit us all. Our technology, solutions and expertise will continue to make harnessing wind power safer and more efficient by streamlining installation processes, while the lessons we learn from our work with offshore energy clients will contribute considerably towards creating a cleaner and more sustainable future.”

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MacGregor and Kongsberg Maritime develop Alfa Lift pile gripper

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