DEME Offshore has held a special naming ceremony for its DP2, twin-hulled SOV ‘Groenewind’ ship.
The Belgian Federal Minister of Energy, Tinne Van der Straeten is the godmother of the vessel and she smashed the champagne bottle down on the hull.
Shortly after its official naming ceremony, ‘Groenewind’ is set to enter service as the vessel is already deployed under a long-term charter contract with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy to transport technicians to the Rentel and SeaMade offshore wind farms in Belgium.
The 60-metre, small waterplane area twin hull (SWATH) SOV is equipped with a motion compensated gangway for the safe transfer of the maintenance technicians to the turbines, up to wave heights of up to 2.5 metres.
Groenewind has a capacity for 24 technicians and a nautical crew. Its DP2 technology means that the vessel can hold its position in rough seas but at the same time operate with lower fuel consumption.
Van der Straeten said: “With offshore wind we prove that you can be big even if you are a small country. Worldwide, Belgium is number five in the offshore wind sector and our companies are pioneers with their expertise and technological innovation.
“Groenewind, the new maintenance vessel for our Belgian wind turbines, is an example of this, and it is therefore an honour to be the godmother.
“In the coming years we will further develop the potential of the North Sea with an energy island, among other things. In just a few years, wind energy has become the cheapest form of electricity production, thanks in part to the expertise and passion of our Belgian companies.”