Norway's Offshore Heavy Transport (OHT), through wholly owned subsidiary Vind Offshore Installation, has entered into a binding heads of agreement with China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) in Jiangsu, China, for the construction of two wind turbine installation vessels with options for a further two units.
The GustoMSC-designed jackup vessels will each have a telescopic crane with a maximum lifting capacity of 2,500 tonnes and a maximum lifting height of approximately 165 metres. Installation could be performed in water depths of up to 65 metres.
The vessels will also each be fitted with emission-reducing features including an energy and heat recovery system and a battery-hybrid power system. As a future option, the propulsion system may be configured to accommodate fuel cells powered by hydrogen to reduce emissions even further.
The first unit will be delivered in early 2023.