A demonstration vehicle design that meets the challenges of cable laying for the development of offshore wind farms is being developed by IHC Engineering Business.
The Hi-Traq vehicle is backed by a history of innovation. It is the result of investment in focused research and development by the company which is based in North East England and part of the global IHC Merwede group.
Ralph Manchester, Chief Trenching Engineer at IHC Engineering Business explains the revolutionary design: “The High Traction (Hi-Traq) vehicle uses patented technology to improve manoeuvrability, traction and overall trenching capability.”
He adds: “It has been specifically developed to reduce the day to day issues facing operators. They have no option at the moment but to use technology designed and build for the oil and gas sector – technology that is not appropriate for the offshore wind farm sector.”
A demonstration vehicle applying and introducing the next generation technology will be launched soon by IHC Engineering Business. This is part of the company’s ongoing multi-generation product development strategy.
The Hi-Traq project forms part of the RETA project, which is part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs.
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Press release, July 3, 2013; Image: IHC Engineering Business