Offshore staff
STAVANGER, Norway – Empire Offshore Wind, a joint venture between Equinor and bp, has awarded a charter contract to Maersk Supply Service for a newbuild wind installation vessel.
The vessel will be ready to work in the mid-2020s on the Empire Wind I and II offshore wind developments, performing installation of the Vestas V236-15MW wind turbines by means of a Jones Act-compliant spread.
It will be supported by two newbuild tugs and barges, operated by Kirby Offshore Wind, which will transport the wind turbine components from the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal to the Empire Wind lease area, 15-30 mi (24-48 km) southeast of Long Island, New York.
Maersk’s vessel is designed to remain in operation while the barges transport turbine components from the staging port on a continual basis.
“The Maersk concept will ensure efficient installation of the Empire Wind turbines by using a dock-in feeder solution, which will improve safety by reducing the number of offshore lifts,” said Trond Gulichsen, project director for Empire Wind.
Gulichsen added: “We are pleased that Maersk is also exploring the opportunity of using climate neutral fuels to operate the wind installation vessel.”
Empire Wind 1 and 2 should generate sufficient electricity to power over 1 million homes in the New York area.
3/29/2022
