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OHT inks agreement to build jack-ups installation vessels

4C Offshore | Tom Russell
By: Tom Russell 30/07/2020 OHT

OHT has announced its entry into the offshore wind turbine installation sector, having entered into a binding agreement with China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) in Jiangsu, China for the construction of two Wind Turbine Generator (WTG) installation vessels with options for a further two units, through its wholly owned subsidiary VIND Offshore Installation AS.

The vessels will be jack-ups of GustoMSC's design, and will be prepared to handle the next generation WTGs, each featuring a telescopic crane with maximum capacity of 2,500t and a maximum lifting height of approx. 165m. The units will be capable of installing in water depths up to 65m. Special emphasis has been placed on providing a class-leading environmental footprint by way of energy and heat recovery, battery hybrid solutions as well as a sophisticated electrical and control system, reducing CO2 emissions by 20% compared to similar units. As a future option, the vessels have been prepared for fuel cells powered by hydrogen to be installed to cut emissions even further.

The first unit will be delivered in early 2023. The delivery structure for the second unit is flexible.

“Through this initiative, OHT firmly establishes its position as a leading, fully integrated Transport and Installation (T&I) company for offshore wind. In doing so, we are responding to client concerns about the lack of capable vessel capacity in the booming offshore wind market. We hear them applauding the development of a capability by a single company to handle the T&I of next generation foundations and turbines”,
said Torgeir E. Ramstad, CEO for OHT.

The venture is based on a concept and business model initially developed by VIND Offshore Installation AS and its founder Rune Magnus Lundetræ.

Rune Magnus Lundetræ added that “OHT already has the organization, systems, track record and market presence required to successfully deliver and execute this initiative. We look forward to our involvement in the world’s first integrated pure-play T&I company in the offshore wind segment with interesting triggers for further growth, including expansion of the Alfa Lift series of foundation vessels and possibly more jack-ups through exercising the options.”

OHT is active in heavy transportation, having transported the some of the world’s heaviest and largest structures over the last 14 years, dominated by Oil & Gas clients. Since 2017, the company has secured several contracts to transport offshore wind foundations, most notably at the ongoing
Moray East project, where OHT is transporting 48 jacket foundations from the UAE to Scotland.

Two years ago, OHT announced a contract to build the world’s largest foundation installation vessel –
Alfa Lift – at CMHI. This vessel, to be delivered next year, is designed to install monopiles and jackets from a floating vessel in dynamic positioning mode to achieve higher efficiencies and lower cost.

Around 16 months after ordering
Alfa Lift, OHT announced the award of Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B, where Alfa Lift will transport and install foundations at the world’s largest offshore wind farm, from 2022.

For more information on offshore wind farms worldwide, click here.

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