The various components of Alstom’s 6MW offshore wind turbine, currently one of the most powerful on the market, are in the process of being loaded onto the liftboat or self-elevating wind turbine installation and crane unit, “Bold Tern”, in the port of Ostend, Belgium.
The vessel, owned by Fred Olsen Windcarrier, specialists in the transport and installation of offshore wind turbines, will then carry out its installation in the Belwind wind park, 45 km off the Ostend coast.
It is because of the exceptional dimensions of its new 6MW offshore wind turbine that Alstom has contracted the services of the latest generation of liftboats. With its 73.5m long blades, the rotor has a diameter of 150m.
Built in 2012, the Bold Tern entered into service with Fred Olsen Windcarrier in February 2013 to manage the installation of the newest offshore wind turbines. In addition to its open deck area of 3,200m2, the vessel is equipped with extremely robust cranes to cope with loading 800 tonne components as the ship is at sea. The Bold Tern is equipped with a DP2 dynamic positioning system for increased safety. These specific features enable the vessel to cope with challenging weather conditions.
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Press release, October 24, 2013; Image: alstom