Merkur SOV Leaves Poland

The service operations vessel (SOV) destined for the Merkur offshore wind farm has left the Crist shipyard in Poland.

GE Renewable Energy contracted Bernhard Schulte Offshore to provide the newbuild vessel for the 396MW wind farm in July last year, after which the German company placed an order with Ulstein Verft.

The NB 315 vessel will have an elevator tower for personnel and cargo transfers and will provide accommodation for 120 persons. 

It will feature a 3D-motion compensated knuckle jib crane from Red Rock, a complete winch package and a container skidding system from Palfinger Marine.

The vessel will also comprise a newly-developed 30m autonomous gangway provided by Uptime international.

Ulstein Verft is set to deliver the 93.5m long vessel to Bernhard Schulte in January 2020. After the delivery, the SOV will depart for the Merkur wind farm where it will support the maintenance of the 66 GE Haliade 150-6MW turbines.