DEME Unveils First SOV for Offshore Wind

Belgium-based offshore wind installation specialist Dredging, Environmental and Marine Engineering NV (DEME) has started building its first service operation vessel (SOV), which will be chartered by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) for work at three Belgian offshore wind farms (OWF).

Concepted by DEME and further designed in close cooperation with Vuyk Engineering Rotterdam and Marin , this innovative vessel  significantly improves safety, comfort and workability for wind farm technicians even in the roughest sea conditions. The keel laying ceremony took place on December 13 at the CEMRE shipyard in Yalova, Turkey.

The SOV will feature a Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) design, which ensures low wave impact on movements when approaching the wind turbines, compared to a monohull SOV. The vessel will enable safe crew transfers in significant wave heights of up to 2.5 m, being the first DP2, twin-hulled SOV in the world.

At 60 m long, the SOV will be equipped with a motion compensated gangway and daughter craft to safely transfer technicians to the wind turbines, increasing the workability and logistics capabilities of the vessel. It is also designed according to the latest comfort standards, allowing the vessel to be a homely offshore base for up to 24 technicians and a nautical crew.

Environmental considerations are an important element of the vessel design with, amongst others, a waste heat recovery system and a Clean Design notation. With the provided DP2 technology  the vessel can hold its position in rough sea conditions but still operate with lower fuel consumption when compared to traditional SOVs. A reduction of fuel consumption up to 50% can be achieved compared to a monohull SOV.

“We believe the twin-hulled design, a motion compensated gangway and dynamic positioning is a winning combination and will further reduce the costs of wind farm maintenance, especially compared to large monohulls reaching similar workability,” said Michael Glavind, Business Unit Director DEME Offshore. “With this first SOV joining our fleet, we further strengthen our capabilities to offer the full offshore wind package, from installation to maintenance.”

Due for delivery in 2021,  the SOV will be chartered by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy as part of a long-term maintenance contract for the Rentel and Mermaid & Seastar (referred as SeaMade) offshore wind farms in Belgium. This is the first SOV to serve three different wind farm sites.

“We keep innovating in offshore service logistics, this SOV is the next proof point: we are and keep being front movers with this pitstop concept to perform service with one SOV at three windfarms," said Rene Wigmans, Siemens Gamesa’s Head of Maritime and Aviation Solutions.