Following the launch of Austal’s Wind Express series last year, Austal announces the award of a contract for three purpose-built 21 metre offshore support vessels for Holyhead-based Turbine Transfers Ltd.
While Austal had been working with Turbine Transfers for some time to develop a customised wind farm vessel solution, Seawork helped to develop the relationship between Austal and Turbine Transfers further.
Austal reports that Seawork 2011 was a successful exhibition, providing a great opportunity to promote Austal’s Wind Express Series, while developing positive working relationships with many windfarm vessel operators in the region. The company looks forward to exhibiting again at Seawork 2012.
Austal Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Bellamy, noted that the contract award is an important first step for Austal in becoming a supplier to the growing European renewable energy market: “Supporting the currently installed offshore generating capacity is an attractive market opportunity today, but the projected growth in new wind farms and wave generator capacity over coming years make this market sector a strategic component of the Austal Group’s commercial vessel business.”
The Austal-built OSV catamarans will be used to transport service crews and equipment to the many offshore wind farms that are located off the coastlines of several European countries. Turbine Transfers currently owns and operates a fleet of 18 vessels.
Austal has adopted an advanced fine entry chine hull form that, in association with a high tunnel height, will enable the vessels to operate at speeds of up to 30 knots with targeted seakeeping ability in up to 2 metres significant wave height.
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Source: seawork, September 09, 2011