Ampelmann has signed its first contract in the US offshore wind market, with marine transportation and towing company Otto Candies.
Ampelmann will provide an E1000 motion compensated system to facilitate operations during the construction of Orsted’s South Fork, Revolution and Sunrise offshore wind farms in the north-east US Atlantic.
The E1000 walk-to-work (W2W) system will be fitted to the inspection, maintenance and repair vessel, Paul Candies, in the third quarter of 2023 to support the hook-up and commissioning of turbines.
As the system compensates for all six degrees of freedom in relation to the vessel and turbine, it will enable “safe, consistent, and reliable” offshore access in sea states of up to 4.5 metres during its year-long operation.
As well as provide safe access for personnel, the system will also be used to hoist cargo, equipment, and tools up to a tonne and the gangway’s fuel transfer capabilities will allow for the testing of the generators and turbines.
By converting the Paul Candies into a W2W vessel, the E1000 will enable the servicing of multiple turbines at once, greatly increasing the speed and efficiency of operations.
“We would like to express our deepest gratitude to Otto Candies for choosing us to facilitate this important operation.
“Over the years we have developed a solid relationship with Otto Candies, and their enduring trust in our systems and services allows us to showcase what we can offer to the US offshore renewable market,” said Steven Kaub, Ampelmann’s business developer for American offshore wind.
Ampelmann has more than a decade of experience in the American offshore access market and an almost 15-year global track record in the offshore wind sector.
Over the last 10 years, motion compensated systems have become established in the US oil and gas sector, but this will the first time that the E1000 will be used in the US offshore wind market, said Ampelmann.
Kaub added: “We are particularly proud to be a part of this historical accomplishment together with Otto Candies.
“This is a significant achievement for the company, and it will highlight the efficiency and safety our systems bring to the American renewable energy sector, as it has done in Europe and Asia.
“Ampelmann is keen to take on an active role in the emerging US offshore wind market.”