SMST will deliver its Access & Cargo Tower to Spanish shipyard Astilleros Zamakona Bilbao, who will install it on Esvagt’s new Service Operation Vessel (SOV) that was chartered by MHI Vestas for the Deutsche Bucht (DeBu) offshore wind farm.
SMST’s Access & Cargo Tower combines a gangway and elevator for the handling of personnel and cargo from the vessel’s warehouse to a wind turbine.
According to the company, the system provides step-less transfer of personnel and cargo to wind turbines up to a significant wave height of 3m. The landing height adjustment system travels to platform heights of up to 23m. SMST will also supply remote controlled Cargo Transporters to transport cargo of 400kg from below deck, via different deck levels, to the offshore structures. A 3t active heave compensated offshore knuckle boom crane will also be installed on top of the tower for the handling and transfer of heavier parts to wind turbines, or for deck and harbour handling.
The new SOV will service the 252MW Deutsche Bucht offshore wind farm in the German North Sea for which MHI Vestas will provide 31 V164-8.0MW turbines and subsequent maintenance.
The vessel, due to be delivered in August 2019, will support operations and maintenance work, under a 15-year contract between Esvagt and MHI Vestas.