Siemens Energy has signed a chartering agreement with ship owner Esvagt A/S for two new offshore wind service vessels that will incorporate significant advancements in logistics, efficiency and operational capabilities.
The vessels are being commissioned specifically for Siemens’ service operations at the Butendiek and Baltic II offshore wind power plants in Germany, both of which are scheduled to come online in 2015. Siemens has provided input to help in the vessel design and specifications over the last several months. , the new vessels will provide direct access using an advanced hydraulic gangway system that will work to stabilize and provide safe access to the turbines at varying wave conditions. They will also include accommodations for more than 30 technicians for several weeks at a time, enabling them to live and work at the project site and to spend less time travelling to and from shore. Within the framework of providing service for both wind power plants via long-term service agreements, Siemens signed the chartering contract with Esvagt A/S for the use of both service operation vessels. The construction of the vessels is scheduled to start this month at the Havyard Shipyard in Norway with launch anticipated for early 2015. When completed, each vessel will measure 84 meters in length with a maxi-mum speed of 14 knots.