France: Piriou Sails into Marine Renewables Market

Thanks to experience gained in the building of 100 aluminium crew boats ranging in length from 18 to 53 metres delivered in the last 25 years to the offshore oil and gas sector, Piriou is now moving into the offshore wind farm support ship market.

In a market that is experiencing rapid growth in Europe and soon in the rest of the world, the French shipbuilding and ship repair group hopes to be able to win a market share which will complete the range of its activities in France and abroad. Pascal PIRIOU declares “the similarities in the requirements of offshore energies enables us to make good use of the know-how acquired in building the crew boats in the last quarter of a century while adapting to the special characteristics of wind farms, particularly in Europe”

PIRIOU is aiming not only to build ships but also offers its expertise in In-Service Support (ISS) which allows shipowners to guarantee the availability of their fleets.

PIRIOU signs a contract with the naval architect

So as to respond rapidly to the growing needs of the offshore wind farm market, i.e. needs as regards the maintenance of machines and the transportation of personnel and equipment to the wind farms, PIRIOU has chosen to enter into a contract with BMT Nigel Gee, a world renowned architect recognised for his experience in “WIND FARM SUPPORT VESSELS” (WFSV).

“This choice responds to the goal of rapid action that we have set ourselves enabling us to offer ships to this rapidly growing market as soon as 2013. And, we do not plan to reinvent the wheel! We have chosen SEA PROVEN designs, which have proved themselves in ships that have been built and are already in operation, and the feedback from which guarantees a perfectly adapted ship”, says Pascal PIRIOU.

Their design offers a series of fundamental advantages, meeting the demands of operators responsible for the maintenance of wind farms:

• A catamaran hull providing optimal stability and comfort when landing technicians on the wind farm operating zones
• Excellent manoeuvrability achieved by means of a dual hydrojet propulsion system
• Proven efficiency and reliability of the fender system on the bow of the boat to allow transfer operations at the foot of the wind turbines
• Choice of a high gasoil capacity so as to optimise the autonomy and refuelling capacity of the wind turbines
• Carefully crafted ergonomic bridge

PIRIOU will be present as an exhibitor at the International SEA WORK Exhibition which will take place in Southampton. Its participation will allow it to present its news and showcase its projects in the Marine Renewables sector.

[mappress]

Press release, June 17, 2013; Image: piriou