Swire Blue Ocean (SBO) has become the latest shipowner to announce a major investment in the wind farm installation vessel sector.
The Danish company said it intends to order a new vessel with an option for a second in a bid to remain “at the forefront of this fast-moving industry”.
SBO said it had shortlisted “several leading international shipyards” for the order with capacities it described as “unseen in the industry” up to now.
The vessel design, created in partnership with GustoMSC, is a bespoke version of the NG-20000X-G design and has been underway since April 2019.
SBO chief executive Mikkel Gleerup said the company was confident it has designed a “highly competitive asset, able to work on the most difficult sites, with the largest equipment in the industry”.
“It has been key for us to deliver an asset that can grow with the industry, but also offer a cost base that is attractive in the market,” SBO head of engineering and research and development Janus Joensen said.
“We have collected significant data over the last decade and by building these learnings into the design we hope to bring material benefits to our customers.”
Last month, Scorpio Bulkers took the shipping sector by surprise when it announced it was taking its first step into the market for wind turbine installation vessels.
It has been key for us to deliver an asset that can grow with the industry
Swire Blue Offshore
The US-listed bulker owner said it had signed a letter of intent at South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering for a $265m to $290m project.
Meanwhile, Arne Blystad-owned Offshore Heavy Transport (OHT) announced a similar move in July, announcing its entry into the offshore wind turbine generator installation sector.
It has entered entered into a binding heads of agreement with China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) in Jiangsu, for the construction of two installation vessels with options for two more units.
Separately, SBO said it plans to invest in new cranes for its existing O-class vessels — the 24,586-gt Pacific Osprey and Pacific Orca (both built 2012) — as offshore wind turbines continue to scale up.
The development comes as the Danish operator prepares itself for the installation of next-generation wind turbines over the coming decade and beyond.
“Over the past year, we have run engineering studies in order to understand how far it could extend the capabilities of our existing O-class vessels,” the company said.
SBO said it has performed “extensive market research”, working with the major developers and turbine manufacturers.
“SBO focused on defining the optimum design for replacing the main cranes on its WIVs, considering both the needs of the future market and the vessels’ technical potential,” the company said.
The company added that the main cranes are designed to provide up to 1,600 tonnes of lifting capacity with a 155 m hook height above deck.
“These specifications are expected to meet the requirements for installation of all turbine models currently under development and allow for the continued growth of turbine components,” SBO added.
