Getting ready for the next generation of offshore wind projects

摘要

Belgium's Jan De Nul Group has ordered the Voltaire, its third offshore jack-up installation vessel, at China's COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry. With an unrivalled crane capacity of over 3,000 tonnes, this jack-up vessel will be able to support the renewable energy industry to build the future wind farms at sea. The vessel is set to be delivered in 2022. The global offshore wind industry is developing the next generation of offshore wind turbines. These turbines can be more than 270 m high and are fitted with blades of 120 m long. Offshore installation vessels currently available on the market are facing increasing difficulties to install these types of turbines due to the turbines' sizes and installation heights, as well as the ever-increasing foundation dimensions.