Belgian construction company the DEME Group recently expanded its offshore installation fleet with the acquisition of a newbuild vessel boasting a 4,000-tonne crane capacity. Built by Taiwan's CSBC Corporation to a design by Netherlands-based C-Job Naval Architects, Green Jade will perform installation of offshore wind turbine components in Taiwanese waters. DEME said it is the first offshore installation vessel constructed in the country.
The newbuild has an LOA of 216.5 metres, a beam of 49 metres, a depth of 16.8 metres, a maximum draught of 11 metres, an 8,200-square-metre open cargo deck with capacity for 60,000 tonnes, accommodations for up to 160 people, and a DP3 system. The vessel's deck space is configured to transport an array of monopiles, jackets, wind turbine components, and structures in a single shipment, thereby reducing both transport costs and reliance on support vessels.
A 41,220kW dual-fuel propulsion system that can run on either diesel or LNG will deliver a transit speed of 14 knots. The propulsion system also includes four 4,500kW azimuthing thrusters, two 4,200kW retractable thrusters, and two 2,500kW tunnel thrusters. Coupled with the DP3 system, the thruster arrangement ensures that the vessel can safely perform installation duties even under extreme weather and sea conditions.
In addition to the 4,000-tonne main crane, the vessel also has a 65-tonne auxiliary crane for lighter loading/offloading and installation works. Other key features include a waste heat recovery system that converts heat from the vessel's exhaust gases and cooling water into electrical energy.
Green Jade will be operated by CSBC-DEME Wind Engineering (CDWE), a joint venture company formed by DEME and CSBC Corporation. The vessel has several contracts scheduled and will initially be deployed for the installation of jacket foundations at the 298MW Zhong Neng wind farm off the coast of Changhua County.
Design work on Green Jade was done in compliance to both American Bureau of Shipping and Taiwan's CR Classification Society requirements.
| Green Jade | |
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Type of vessel: | Wind turbine installation vessel |
| Classification: | American Bureau of Shipping; CR |
| Flag: | Taiwan |
| Owner: | DEME Group, Belgium |
| Operator: | CSBC-DEME Wind Engineering, Belgium/Taiwan |
| Designer: | C-Job Naval Architects, Netherlands |
| Builder: | CSBC Corporation, Taiwan |
| Length overall: | 216.5 metres |
| Beam: | 49 metres |
| Draught: | 11 metres |
| Depth: | 16.8 metres |
| Capacity: | 60,000 tonnes |
| Main engines: | 41,220 kW |
| Propulsion: | 4 x 4,500 kW; 2 x 4,200 kW; 2 x 2,500 kW |
| Cruising speed: | 14 knots |
| Cranes: | 2 |
| Other equipment installed: | Waste heat recovery system |
| Types of fuel: | Diesel; LNG |
| Crew: | 160 |
| Operational area: | Taiwan |