Van Oord has ordered lifting slings from Cortland, a global ropes and slings specialist, for the installation of monopiles and transition pieces at the Norther offshore wind farm in Belgium and Deutsche Bucht offshore wind farm in Germany.
In total, 14 tonnes of lifting and rigging equipment is required for the installation of 75 wind turbines across the two locations, Cortland stated, adding that its project engineering team will also provide ongoing technical support.
The order includes seven Selantic slings of 20 metres, 40 metres and 60 metres with respective capacities of 2500 tonnes, 1900 tonnes and 2000 tonnes, and three Plasma grommet slings.
Van Oord is expected to use its installation vessel Aeolus on both projects.
“We’re excited to work with Van Oord, a leading construction contractor in the offshore wind industry. They are working on some of Europe’s foremost wind projects and our support will contribute to their overall success,” said Wilco van Zonneveld , Cortland’s European Sales Leader. “Cortland has been proud to provide expertise on lifting applications for the growth of sustainable energy throughout Europe and the world.”
Van Oord and Tideway commenced offshore works at the Norther wind farm in May by putting the scour protection in place. Foundation installation is scheduled to start this month. Located 23 kilometres offshore Belgium, Norther will comprise 44 MHI Vestas 8MW turbines optimised to be able to deliver a maximum output of 8.4MW.
For Deutsche Bucht, which will also comprise MHI Vestas 8MW turbines, Van Oord has been awarded the Balance of Plant (BOP) contract , with offshore works expected to begin in the second half of this year. Van Oord is in charge of the design, engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the foundations, inter-array cables and an offshore high voltage station, as well as the transportation of the wind turbines.
Offshore WIND Staff