Royal Boskalis Westminster has confirmed that work has begun to convert an existing hull into a crane vessel that will serve clients in the offshore wind market.
On Sunday, May 17, Dubai shipyard Drydocks World cut the first steel that would comprise the new work deck and additional stabilising blocks for the vessel, which will be named Bokalift 2.
The work is expected to last through to 2021 and will also include the installation of a 4,000-tonne revolving crane capable of lifting structures more than 100 metres high.
Following completion of upgrades, Bokalift 2 will be deployed for the first time at the Changfang and Xidao offshore wind farm (CFXD OWF) project in Taiwan, which is owned by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and two Taiwanese life insurance companies. This project includes the transportation and installation of 62 three-legged jacket foundations and the accompanying 186 pin piles.
