Ørsted partners with WindServe to build two CTVs at U.S. shipyards

Written by Nick Blenkey
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Image: WindServe Marine

Offshore wind leader Ørsted has partnered with WindServe Marine, LLC, a member of the Staten Island, N.Y. headquartered Reinauer Group, to construct two purpose-built offshore Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs). They will transport personnel for construction, maintenance, and operations from port to offshore wind farms.

The first CTV will be built by the U.S. Workboats shipyard in Hubert, N.C., and utilized for Ørsted’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project, followed by subsequent service on Northeast projects. The second CTV will be built by WindServe’s affiliate shipyard, Reinauer Group member Senesco Marine, in North Kingstown, R.I., specifically for Ørsted’s and Eversource’s Revolution Wind project located off the southern New England coast.

“Choosing WindServe to build our CTVs at Senesco will provide locally built vessels and a local operator for the domestic offshore wind industry,” said Thomas Brostrøm, President and CEO of Ørsted North America. “WindServe Marine’s experience with Jones Act vessel operations and full service shipyard fabrication, coupled with their dedication to the future of green energy, make them a great partner as we expand operations along the East Coast.”

The CTVs will high-speed aluminum catamarans built to a custom design from U.K. based BMT Group, and will be built specifically for U.S. East Coast sea conditions. BMT has extensive offshore wind experience and a large portfolio of offshore wind vessels, with 49 CTVs currently operating in Europe.

“With over 95 years of experience in the maritime industry, we are committed to offering premier offshore wind support services to the East Coast and look forward to contributing to the future of offshore wind growth,” said Craig Reinauer, President and CEO of the Reinauer Group. “Thanks to Ørsted, this partnership between two global leaders in the offshore wind industry will provide new, sustainable jobs for U.S. workers”.

The first CTV is already under construction with delivery anticipated early next year. Construction of the second CTV will commence in late 2020.

Classed with DNV GL

The vessels will be classed with DNV GL and will be the first offshore wind vessels built in the United States to class requirements.

Josh Diedrich, Business Development Director at WindServe, said, “With their breadth of knowledge in offshore wind and years of experience in the European market, DNV GL was a natural class partner for this project. We have been tremendously pleased by the support and consultation we have received so far and look forward to more excellent collaboration moving forward.”

“We are very pleased to be selected as the classification partner for this purpose-built vessel and we look forward to supporting WindServe and Ørsted in realizing their successful delivery, as well as their future plans,” said Antony DSouza, EVP and Regional Manager DNV GL Maritime Americas.

“We believe success relies on understanding the dependencies between different parts of the offshore wind value chain, which is why we take a full lifecycle approach to managing risks, reducing costs, and maintaining quality,” said Sergio Garcia, Regional Business Development Manager, DNV GL Maritime Americas. “We are excited about the future of the U.S. offshore wind market and are committed to utilizing our 30-plus years of experience in this segment to support and facilitate the safe and efficient planning, construction and management of related projects in this region.”

Image: WindServe Marine
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