Siemens equipment for first German-built wind farm installation vessel

J. J. Sietas KG of Hamburg is the first German shipyard to build an installation vessel for the erection of offshore wind farms. Siemens Marine Solutions will supply the ship’s diesel-electric propulsion and automation system as well as the medium voltage system for power generation and distribution. The order has a value of several million euros.

The special vessel is due to be handed over to the Van Oord Group of the Netherlands  in September 2012 and will be used for projects in the North Sea and the Baltic.

The order for the electrical equipment was awarded to a project consortium comprising Siemens AG, Siemens Norway and INTERSCHALT maritime systems AG. The scope of supply from Siemens includes the main generators and the distribution transformers for the ship’s medium-voltage distribution, the switchgear and the power management system. Siemens is also delivering the medium voltage transformers and drives for the bow thrusters and the soft starters, as well as the motors for the main propulsion system. Siship Imac, the Siemens ship automation system, will be installed to handle the monitoring, alarm and control functions of the on-board electrical systems. 

Siemens will also be responsible for the project management, engineering and commissioning of the complete diesel-electric propulsion system. All the systems and components used are part of the Siemens Siship solution platform. 

With a length of 139 meters and a width of 38 meters, the 6,500 dwt ship will be able to work in waters up to 45 meters deep. It will have a draft of 5.70 m and a speed of twelve knots. Its crane will be able to lift 900 tons with an outreach of 30 m, and work up to a height of about 120 m above water level. During the installation work in the wind power farms, the ship’s crew of 74 will be accommodated in single and double cabins.

July 20, 2011