Heerema and Safeway Team Up Offshore Taiwan

Heerema Marine Contractors (HMC) has awarded the Dutch offshore transfer equipment specialist Safeway with a contract to supply a Safeway Seagull type motion compensated gangway system for installation on the CSV Normand Baltic.

This is Safeway’s first contract for HMC, and it is also the first time the Safeway Seagull system with 3D crane function will be deployed to transfer personnel and cargo during an offshore wind project in Taiwan.

“We have already reached record transfer speeds for the safe and efficient transfer of people and cargo with this type of gangway, and we are excited to be partnering with Heerema for the very first time and for the opportunity to prove to them our high-quality service,” said Wijnand van Aalst, CEO at Safeway.

“Obviously we are honoured that Heerema has opted to make use of Safeway Seagull’s unique features such as roll compensation, height adjustment, zero impact bumpering/hover mode and counterweight, ensuring unrivalled workability throughout the year.”

Heerema’s scope of work on the offshore wind project involves the transport and installation of 111 wind turbine foundations as well as the installation of two offshore substations. The installation work will be executed by Heerema’s heavy lift vessel Aegir.

The project in question is Ørsted’s 900 MW Greater Changhua 1 and 2a located some 35 to 50 kilometres offshore.

Changhua 1 and 2a offshore wind farms will feature Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbines installed on jacket foundations.

The rental contract for the 28 metre-long walk-to-work Safeway Seagull gangway will commence during the first half of 2021 for an initial term of up to 168 days, with an option for a possible extension, Safeway said.

This will be Safeway’s first W2W-project offshore Taiwan.

“Not only are we adding a new country to our portfolio, we are also gaining further access to the Asia Pacific region after successful jobs in Australia and Malaysia,” Van Aalst said.

”Walk to Work operations are becoming increasingly important in this region and with our Safeway Seagull gangway type we can ensure maximum efficiency of operations for our clients.”