Japan Marine United (JMU) shipyard has delivered offshore wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) Blue Wind to Shimizu.
The GustoMSC designed and equipped vessel is the largest WTIV in Japan to date.
Blue Wind will enable Shimizu to efficiently install foundations and wind turbines and help meet the country’s growing demand for offshore wind power.
Shimizu selected GustoMSC to develop the large-capacity WTIV following a competitive bidding process in 2019.
After extensive evaluations of the installation challenges offshore Japan, which include seasonal typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis, the GustoMSC™ SC-14000XL tailored jack-up design with a large telescopic crane, was suggested.
The WTIV design is specifically tailored to Shimizu’s requirements.
The vessel is 142 metres long, 50 metres wide and can accommodate up to 130 personnel.
It is also equipped with the proven GustoMSC variable speed rack and pinion jacking system, providing great reliability, safety, and performance in even the harshest offshore conditions.
GustoMSC also delivered the world’s first fully integrated offshore telescopic leg encircling crane, which enables the vessel to install foundations and turbines.
When deployed in a retracted mode, the crane has a safe working load of 2500 tons with a lifting height of 118 metres above the deck.
Keeping the crane boom in the retracted mode without an extension over the bow avoids sailing and manoeuvring restrictions during transit and in port areas.
The crane can then easily transition to an extended mode to install turbines at a height of up to 158 m above the deck and with a maximum safe working load of 1250 tons.