Austal awarded first wind express contract
Following the launch of Austal’s Wind Express series in mid 2010, the company has been awarded a contract for the design and construction of three purpose-built 21 metre offshore support vessels (OSVs) for Turbine Transfers Limited, based in Holyhead, United Kingdom.
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The Austal built OSV catamarans will be used to transport service crews and equipment to the many offshore windfarms that are located off the coastlines of several European countries. Turbine Transfers is a well established fleet owner that has been supporting windfarm owners and operators for a number of years. The company currently owns and operates a fleet of 18 vessels. The Austal built OSVs will be the first that Turbine Transfers has commissioned outside the United Kingdom.
Austal Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Bellamy, noted that the contract award is an important first step for Austal in becoming a supplier to the growing European renewable energy market.
“Supporting the currently installed offshore generating capacity is today an attractive market opportunity, but the projected growth in new wind farms and wave generator capacity over coming years makes this market sector a strategic component of the Austal Group’s commercial vessel business,” said Mr Bellamy.
Mr. Bellamy added that Austal brings a wealth of intellectual property to the needs of this new market and has already demonstrated this to Turbine Transfers by designing highly efficient vessels that will achieve greater speeds with a level of fuel efficiency that is superior to that of similar sized vessels in the Turbine Transfers fleet.
Austal has adopted an advanced fine entry chine hull form that in association with a high tunnel height, will enable the vessels to operate at speeds of up to 30 knots with targeted seakeeping ability in up to 2 metres significant wave height.
Due for delivery in May 2012, the vessels will be built at Austal’s Henderson shipyard.
Vessel Specifications
Principal Particulars:
Length overall: 21.30 metres.
Length waterline: 18.40 metres.
Beam (moulded): 7.30 metres.
Hull depth (moulded): 3.50 metres.
Hull draft (approx): 1.40 metres.
Crew: 3.
Wind Farm Personnel: 12.
Maximum Deadweight: 12.5 tonnes
Propulsion
Main engines: 2 x MTU 10V 2000 M72
Propulsion: 2 x Waterjets Rolls Royce 45 A3.
Performance
Speed: 30 knots at 100% MCR.
Survey Classification Det Norske Veritas +1A1 HSLC Windfarm Service 1 R2 E0.
Flag UK MCA.
