GL to class innovative Fjellstrand wind farm support vessels

AUGUST 8, 2012 — Germanischer Lloyd (GL) is to class the six trimaran SWATH WindServer wind farm support vessels that Norwegian shipbuilder Fjellstrand has on order for Denmark’s World Marine Offshore A/S (see earlier story).

The vessels, two 30 m vessels and four 25 m, will have a service speed of 25 knots and the capacity to carry 25 and 12 service personnel, respectively. They are scheduled to enter service in March 2013.

The Fjellstrand WindServer, includes a number of innovative features which have been designed to improve access to offshore installations in rough weather, improve fuel efficiency, ensure the safety of the personnel on board, and reduce running costs. The vessels will be equipped with four engines that power two controllable pitch propellers, giving improved operational flexibility while ensuring redundant capacity.

The vessels will be equipped with ballasting systems allowing them to shift between a rough weather SWATH mode and a light weight transit mode. A fixed stabilisation foil adds to the design’s stability – one of a set of permanently integrated motion damping devices that are part of the hull concept and designed to reduce construction and maintenance costs by avoiding complex active motion control systems.

“The offshore service sector is currently one of the innovation highpoints within the maritime sector,” says Ronnie Westerman, GL’s Business Development Manager for North Europe. “GL has been intensively involved in this area over the past several years, assessing new designs, materials and components and we are extremely happy to be once again working with Fjellstrand to help to bring this exciting new design to life.”