Special vessel will help build North Sea wind farms

J.J. Sietas KG of Hamburg is the first German shipyard to build a specialized vessel designed to help in the installation of offshore wind farms.

Siemens Marine Solutions will supply the diesel-electric propulsion and automation system for the vessel, 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, a Dutch water engineering company, in September 2012. Van Oord plans to use the ship for its offshore projects in the North and the Baltic Sea.

The special vessel, with a carrying capacity of up to 6,500 tons, is designed for transporting and installing offshore wind power plants located far offshore. With a length of 456 feet (139 meters) and a width of 125 feet (38 meters), the ship will be able to work in waters up to 148 feet (45 meters) deep. A special on-board crane will be able to lift 900 tons, and work up to a height of about 394 feet (120 meters) above water level.

During installation work, the ship’s crew of 74 will be accommodated in single and double cabins.