Offshore Energy 2013: Take a BOW for Offshore Wind

BOW Terminal is growing along with the offshore wind sector. The company is advancing its business by investing in further improvements. Offshore WIND spoke to Arjen Pattenier, Business Unit Manager of BOW Terminal, at this year’s Offshore Energy event in Amsterdam.

Offshore WIND: First of all, I wanted to ask you how much has the offshore wind industry helped in your growth from the establishment of BOW Terminal three years ago until now, as you are dealing not only with offshore wind energy projects, but offshore industry in general?

Arjen Pattenier: I think that within our company the percentage of offshore wind, in relation to other businesses, is 60% share. Thus, 60% of our income is coming from offshore wind projects.

The development of offshore wind is very important to us. We started the company and invested heavily in this particular market with the purchase of a heavy lift crane and the extension of our ground area. We see the offshore market as two shares ‒ oil and gas and offshore wind, of which 60 or even 70% is offshore wind.

Offshore WIND: As you said, you purchased a heavy lift crane. This was last year. Have you considered some new investments to widen your business and services?

Arjen Pattenier: Yes, for 2014 we are planning to extend our pier with another 175 meters, including a heavy load platform of 600 square meters with ground carrying capacity of 20 tons per square meter. This will be constructed next year, and we will do that in cooperation with the port authorities.

The construction is scheduled to start in April 2014 and it will be finalized at the end of the same year or at the beginning of 2015.

Offshore WIND: You announced recently that preparations for the first load out for Amrumbank offshore wind farm started. What is your status at the moment with that project?

Arjen Pattenier: Right now (October 16), we are loading the second monopile. This morning we started the operation, and I think that at the end of the afternoon the first load out will be completed. It all went very well so far.

Offshore WIND: Also, BOW Terminal said that it is cooperating with Falck Safety Services on having training courses at its own facilities. However, you said that you are not yet certified and that this is still in progress. Could you tell us some more details about that?

Arjen Pattenier: That is correct. We are in progress with that and we want to improve the aggregation of our team.

Within the offshore wind operations on our site we have a high percentage of work which is done on heights. We want to improve safety during these operations, so we erected a testing platform where we can carry out our courses. We will do that with an official training company.

Offshore WIND Staff, October 24, 2013; Image: navingo