MacGregor equipment picked for Edda Wind newbuild quartet

Image: Salt Ship Design

MacGregor is to supply walk-to-work gangway and 3D crane equipment packages for the four offshore wind service vessels under construction in Spain for Østensjø Rederi’s Edda Wind business (see earlier story).

Two of the equipment packages were ordered by shipbuilder Astilleros Gondán for Edda Wind’s zero emissions ready Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOV), the first of which will enter into a firm charter period of 11 years starting in first quarter 2022.

Each of these vessels will be equipped with a Horizon all-electric walk-to-work gangway, including the largest integrated passenger lift ever fitted to a wind service vessel, which is interconnected to a Colibri 5 tonne 3D motion compensated crane. A single operator will be able to seamlessly change between crane and gangway operation from a centralized control station on the vessel’s bridge.

“Østensjø Rederi is committed to continuously advancing the development of environmentally sustainable technologies, and MacGregor’s energy efficient equipment will contribute to improving the overall efficiency of Edda Wind’s newbuildings” says Egil Arne Skare, Chief Project Officer in Østensjø Rederi.

The other two equipment packages were awarded by Astilleros Balenciaga which is building Edda Wind’s second generation Service Operation Vessels (SOV). The first of the two vessels will enter into service on a 15 year charter agreement in second quarter 2022. These vessels will also be equipped with a Horizon all-electric walk-to-work gangway system and 3 tonne Colibri 3D motion compensated crane.

Although smaller than their CSOV vessels, the SOVs will boast access heights of up to 34 meters above the sea surface due to the novel design of the Horizon walk-to-work system, specifically tailored to Edda Wind’s requirements. These vessels will also benefit from the additional efficiency provided by the centralized control station being located near the Dynamic Positioning Operator’s (DPO) position on the bridge.

“Whenever we asked MacGregor to solve operational challenges put forward by our clients or ourselves, they responded quickly with well-thought-out solutions and provided excellent technical support.” says Skare. “Providing low emission service vessels is not just about selecting the most energy efficient equipment, it’s the combination of the equipment and our collective experience that will give these ships an environmentally sound operational profile.”

The Horizon walk-to-work gangway and Colibri 3D cranes are products brought into the MacGregor portfolio through its acquisition last year of the marine and offshore businesses of TTS Group ASA

“MacGregor is delighted to have been selected to supply critical equipment to the Edda Wind newbuildings,” says Leif Byström, Head of MacGregor’s Offshore Solutions Division. “We now have a total of six walk-to-work systems and five 3D compensated cranes under various stages of completion, validating our commitment to renewable energy and to providing enhanced solutions and services to our customers through the combination of MacGregor and TTS capabilities.”