Van Oord’s Giant Jack-Up to Feature ABB Tech

August 24, 2022, by Adnan Memija

ABB has secured a contract with Yantai CIMC Yantai CIMC Raffles Shipyard in China to supply Van Oord’s wind turbine installation vessel Boreas with power, automation, and propulsion systems.

Under the contract, ABB will provide four Azipod propulsion units with a combined propulsion power of 16 MW, offering significant space and weight savings as well as facilitating optimal ship design, allowing the vessel to transport heavier loads, ABB said.

In addition, the company’s hybrid-electric propulsion system will allow the integration of new energy sources once they become available.

ABB’s energy storage system, through its spinning-reserve and peak-load-shaving capabilities, will act as a backup power source while reducing engine running hours to minimise wear and fuel consumption, the system supplier said.

Van Oord’s 175-metre jack-up will also feature ABB Ability Marine Remote Diagnostic System which enables continuous remote equipment monitoring, as well as optimised machinery and planned maintenance activities, helping reduce maintenance costs, according to ABB.

Boreas, which is currently under construction, will be able to operate on methanol and install wind turbines with a capacity of up to 25 MW.

The jack-up will be purpose-built for the transport and installation of foundations and wind turbines. With a crane supplied by the Dutch company Huisman, the vessel will be able to lift more than 3,000 tonnes.

Designed by Knud E Hansen, Boreas will also feature an advanced jacking system. Four legs, each measuring 126 metres, will allow the ship to be jacked up and work in waters up to 70 metres deep.

The mega jack-up, which Van Oord says will have a very low CO2 footprint, is expected to enter the market in 2024 and will work under the Dutch flag. Van Oord has also taken an option on a second vessel.