The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has granted approval in principle (AIP) for a design for a wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) for China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) by naval architects Friede and Goldman (F&G).
ABS said the design is suitable for all offshore wind markets and is capable of installing 15MW and larger-sized turbines.
The WTIV can be equipped with F&G's proprietary feeder barge system to support Jones Act-compliant operations in the US. The feeder barge system, which previously received an AIP from ABS, is removable to enable operations in any global market as a typical WTIV.
