DEME Offshore US has entered into a long-term agreement with Barge Master wherein the two companies will work closely together to develop motion compensation technology.
The resulting systems will be deployed on a new feeder vessel concept on the Vineyard Wind One project, the first commercial-scale offshore wind farm in the US.
In 2021, DEME Offshore US secured a transport and installation contract for the 62 GE Haliade offshore wind turbines for the Vineyard Wind One project, which is located off the coast of Massachusetts. In addition to the installation of the turbines, DEME Offshore will also handle the transportation and installation of the monopile foundations, transition pieces, offshore substation and scour protection for the wind turbine foundations, as well as the offshore substation foundation and platform.
DEME Offshore US is partnering with US company Foss Maritime in the development of the smart feeder barge concept to ensure that it is fully compliant with the Jones Act. Following on from this, DEME Offshore US has now announced a five-year agreement with the Dutch company Barge Master, where it will utilise four motion compensation platforms that will be installed on the US-flagged Foss Maritime barges.
DEME said the integrated, high-tech solution will enable the wind turbine components to be transported from US ports to DEME's specialised offshore installation vessels. When arriving alongside the installation vessel, the Barge Master motion compensation technology ensures safe lifting operations – even for these giant components – and increases workability.
The barges will also be towed and pushed by US-flagged tugs.
The Barge Master concept is based on using patented technology, whereby control systems and cylinders are supporting a platform and actively compensating the motions of the barge. The wind turbine components are fastened to the motion compensated platform.
Barge Master has two existing and proven platforms that have already been used on several offshore energy projects. These two platforms and two larger newbuild platforms will be specifically adapted to cope with the needs for the Vineyard Wind One project.
