A new large self-elevating platform (SEP) optimised for offshore wind installation activities has been handed over to Japanese engineering and construction company Shimizu Corporation. Built at the Yokohama City facilities of Japan Marine United (JMU), Blue Wind was designed by Dutch naval architecture firm GustoMSC and Mitsui OSK Lines in collaboration with offshore installation companies Heerema Marine Contractors of the Netherlands and Fred. Olsen Ocean of Norway.
The newbuild has a length of 142.8 metres, a beam of 50 metres, a depth of 11 metres, a maximum draught of 6.2 metres, a gross tonnage of 23,539, and accommodations for 130 personnel. Six Daihatsu generators – four 4,630kW and two 1,500kW sets – drive three 3,800kW azimuthing thrusters to propel the vessel to a service speed of 11 knots when not carrying deck cargo. The rest of the propulsion arrangement consists of two 3,200kW tunnel thrusters, a 3,200kW azimuthing thruster, and a Cummins 750kW emergency generator.
Shimizu said the vessel boasts a significant lifting capacity, enabling it to transport and install large wind turbines of 14 MW or 15 MW. A large quantity of components totalling 10,000 tonnes – typically seven 8MW turbines or three 12MW turbines plus associated components – loaded on a 4,600-square-metre open deck can be transported and installed in one trip, thus streamlining the construction process.
The GustoMSC main deck crane can lift up to 2,500 tonnes, or 1,250 tonnes to a maximum height of 158 metres if the crane is extended to its full length. Also fitted is an auxiliary crane that can lift 30 tonnes within a 45-metre radius.
The self-elevating ability using four 92-metre-long extendable legs and a DP2 system meanwhile enable installation to be performed even under rough weather and sea conditions. The vessel was designed so that the hull can be raised or lowered even in long-period waves of about 10 seconds, which are characteristic of the Pacific Ocean.
Blue Wind was designed in compliance to ClassNK guidelines. The vessel will be under the operational control of Fukada Salvage and Marine Works.
| Blue Wind | |
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Type of vessel: | Jackup installation vessel |
| Classification: | ClassNK |
| Flag: | Japan |
| Owner: | Shimizu Corporation, Japan |
| Operator: | Fukada Salvage and Marine Works, Japan |
| Designers: | GustoMSC, Netherlands; Mitsui OSK Lines, Japan |
| Builder: | Japan Marine United |
| Length overall: | 142.8 metres |
| Beam: | 50 metres |
| Draught: | 6.2 metres |
| Depth: | 11 metres |
| Gross tonnage: | 23,539 |
| Capacity: | 10,000 tonnes |
| Propulsion: | 3 x 3,800 kW; 3 x 3,200 kW; |
| Generators: | 4 x Daihatsu 8DE-33, each 4,630 kW; 2 x Daihatsu 6DE-23, each 1,500 kW; Cummins KTA38DM, 750 kW |
| Cruising speed: | 11 knots |
| Crane: | GustoMSC GLTC-2500/1250-ED |
| Dynamic positioning: | DP2 |
| Crew: | 130 |
| Operational area: | Pacific Ocean |
