The first steel of the OHT semisubmersible offshore wind farm foundation installation vessel was cut on 1 March at the China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) yard in China.
The Ulstein-designed Alfa Lift vessel is developed for operations in the offshore renewables and installation market. The vessel has the ability to perform heavy lift crane operations with the main deck submerged.
The 48,000 DWT Alfa Lift vessel will be available for construction and installation activities from early 2021. According to the Norway-based shipowner Offshore Heavy Transport (OHT), they are increasing their capabilities to become a full transport and installation contractor with the addition of the new heavy-lift crane installation vessel to their fleet.
Featuring a free deck length of 148 metres, and a free deck area of 8,100m² (main) + 2,470 m² (foredeck), the vessel has accommodation for 100 people. It has a total length of 216.3m, and a breadth of 56m.
The patent-pending design combines the benefits of a semi-submersible transport vessel with a large, 3,000 mt lifting capacity main crane from Liebherr. MAN Energy Solutions will provide the engines for the vessel.
The vessel’s capabilities are said to match the future requirements of the offshore wind industry, allowing her to transport and install up to 10 1,500t ultra-large jacket foundations or 11 2,000t XXL monopiles plus transition pieces for the largest anticipated wind turbines.