China Hails Delivery of First Offshore Wind Service Operation Vessels

August 19, 2024, by Adnan Memija

The naming and delivery ceremony of the first two China-built offshore wind power service operation vessels (SOVs) was held at Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC) yard in Quidong, China, on 16 August.

Image courtesy: Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries

The Zhi Zhen 100 and Zhi Cheng 60 vessels were delivered by ZPMC to Shanghai Electric Wind Power Group with Schulte Marine Concept (SMC) being responsible for plan approval and ships’ construction and commissioning supervision.

The vessels are based on two different ship designs from Ulstein Design & Solutions and are the first purpose-designed ships for the offshore wind industry in China.

The Zhi Cheng 60 is a ULSTEIN SX197 design measuring 72.6 metres in length and 17.5 metres in beam. It can accommodate 60 people and has a deck area of 400 square metres.

The Zhi Zhen 100 is based on the larger ULSTEIN SX195 design. With a length of 93.4 metres and a beam of 18 metres, it can accommodate up to 100 people and boasts a total deck area of 620 square metres.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Both SOVs are designed with the X-BOW and X-STERN solutions for optimal seakeeping characteristics.

The ships are equipped with an advanced battery and DC electric propulsion system as well as a high capability DP2 dynamic positioning system.

Additionally, the SOVs are fitted with a walk-to-work motion compensated gangway, offshore crane, and high-speed daughter crafts.

“The two SOVs are the first offshore wind power operation and maintenance vessels built in China giving a testimony to the impressive capability and capacity of the shipbuilding industry in China. These state-of-the-art vessels will form a strong and reliable foundation in the operation and maintenance of the domestic distant offshore wind parks, while further promoting sustainable development of the Chinese offshore wind power generation industry”, said Krzysztof Kozdron, Managing Director of SMC.

Shanghai Electric ordered the two SOVs from ZPMC in 2022. A year later, the vessels were launched at the yard.