IHC Merwede launches wind turbine installation jack-up

The IHC Merwede shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, The Netherlands, has launched a self-elevating heavy-lift jack-up vessel for GeoSea NV, the offshore marine construction specialist company within the DEME Group, based in Belgium.

Named Neptune, the 60-m long and 38-m wide DP2 (dynamic positioning) self-propelled jack-up vessel is equipped with a dedicated 600-tonne crane that is fully integrated into the hull. The NEPTUNE  is designed for the transport and installation of offshore wind turbines and any other heavy marine offshore structures.

On delivery to GeoSea in early 2012, the vessel will start its first assignment on Thorntonbank off the Belgian coast, where it will perform the installation of 48 wind turbines for the second and third stages of the C-Power offshore wind farm. Then, it will move to German waters in the North Sea for the construction of the Trianel West Borkum II wind farm (45 km north of the East Frisian Island of Borkum) and the EnBW Baltic 2 wind farm (32 km north of the island of Rügen).  

The contract for the detailed design, construction and delivery of the vessel was signed by GeoSea and IHC Merwede on September 16,  2010 and the keel was laid on March 25, 2011. The vessel will be operational in the first quarter of 2012, which equates to an impressively short lead time of a year and a half – from signing the contract to delivery – for this complex, high-tech and unique vessel.

Once operational, the Neptune will be provided with a Green Passport delivered by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

Main features:
Hull
Length: 60 m, Breadth: 38 m, Depth: 6 m, Design draft hull: 3.9m

Legs
Number: 4
Type: circular section, diameter 3.5 m, Leg length: 8 0m

Jacking system
Type: GustoMSC hydraulic positive engagement, Drive: electro-, Capacity: 2,750t preload per leg

Cranes
600 mt Huisman wind turbine installation crane,10 mt auxiliary crane

Accommodations
Accommodations for 60 people

Design 
Gusto MSC type SEA 2500

September 26, 2011