The first A2SEA wind turbine installation vessel equipped with Voith Schneider Propellers and Voith Inline Thrusters is nearing completion. Voith has now been awarded the contract to outfit another vessel with this propulsion system. The new vessel with a crane capacity of 900 tons is scheduled to enter service in mid-2014.
A2SEA, based in Fredericia, Denmark, specializes in the installation of offshore wind turbines. After the “Sea Installer”, the company has placed another order for an offshore vessel with the Chinese Cosco Shipyard Group Co. Ltd. As was the case with the “Sea Installer” which is nearing completion and will soon be transferred to Europe, Voith will provide the propulsion system for this new vessel.
The three Voith Schneider Propellers used as the main propulsion system for the newbuild have a propulsion power of 3 800 kW each. They ensure safe navigation, particularly so in dynamic positioning (DP) mode and during transits in extremely rough seas. In the bow area, the shipyard installs a VIT 2300 – 1500 Voith Inline Thruster with an input power of 1 500 kW.
This thruster is the largest world-wide using the permanentmagnetic synchronous machine technology (RIM Drive). Compared to conventional transverse thrusters, the VIT stands out due to its extremely low noise emissions, very smooth running and low vibrations. As the entire propulsion system is very compact, it can also be mounted in very limited installation spaces.
The “Sea Installer” and the recently ordered vessel are virtually identical. The difference is in crane capacity: While the crane of the “Sea Installer” has been designed for 800 tons, the crane of the new vessel can move 100 tons more, i.e. a total of 900 tons. The vessel is thus able to provide the wind energy sector with even bigger offshore wind turbines.
With an overall length of 132 meters, a breadth of 39 meters and a total capacity of 5 000 tons, the newbuild is scheduled to enter service in mid-2014. It is capable of carrying 60 staff as well as eight to ten complete wind turbines.
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Offshore WIND staff, June 6, 2012; Image: Voith