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LOGISTIC ADVANTAGES
The deployment of floating sheerleg cranes and jack-up vessels for the construction of
offshore wind farms makes for very complex logistics. Constant trips back and forth
using tugs and barges are needed to deliver the jackets or monopiles for installation.
“The advantage of the F3000 is that it allows us to position and transport a large
number of jackets or monopiles on the 6,500-square meter deck. Two 7.5 MW
Rolls-Royce engines enable the vessel to reach a speed of 12 knots. After arrival at
the location, installation work can start immediately, without having to wait for the
time-consuming process of extending the legs of a jack-up vessel. Fewer transport
movements are required, resulting in huge logistic benefits. Moreover, it results in a
sharp reduction in fuel consumption and carbon emissions, a factor that is increasingly
important to many clients. Another big advantage is that the DP2 system enables us to
reposition the vessel quickly. Compared to jack-up vessels the F3000 will also be
deployable in less favorable wave conditions, resulting in time savings, good workability
and a predictable operating process. The helicopter deck means that offshore work
can continue uninterrupted during crew changeovers,” said Nelemans.
HORNSEA PROJECT ONE OFFSHORE WIND FARM
Boskalis will deploy the F3000 for the transport and installation of the foundations
for part of the Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm, which is being built 120
kilometers off the coast of Yorkshire, UK. Execution of the contract, which was
awarded to Boskalis by DONG Energy Wind Power A/S in 2016, will start in the
second half of 2018. “Before then we expect to be able to deploy the vessel on other
projects,” said Nelemans. “The Hornsea project was a major factor in our investment
decision. We were in talks with DONG for quite some time about the possibility of
using a large transport and installation crane vessel for the transport and installation
of the foundations on this project. Gradually everyone became more and more
convinced of the economic benefits of this concept.”
INSTALLATION, DECOMMISSIONING AND SALVAGE WORK
The F3000 is also ideally suited for the installation of topsides and jackets as well as
decommissioning activities, such as the dismantling and immediate removal of existing
oil and gas installations or obsolete wind farms. “We also expect to deploy the vessel
on subsea and salvage work,” said Nelemans. “The spacious accommodation means
that we are able to house a large number of specialists, such as divers and welders.”
F3000 SPECIFICATIONS
Crane lifting capacity: 3,000 tons
Available deck space: 6,500 m²
Total installed power:
25 MW
Transit speed:
12 knots
Dynamic positioning:
Kongsberg DP2
Accommodation:
150 people
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Artist’s impression of the F3000 carrying
monopile foundations and transition pieces
for an offshore wind farm.
