Deugro has taken delivery of offshore wind component transport vessel Rotra Futura (pictured) at the Zhenjiang Shipyards, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China, with partners Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and Amasus Offshore.
The naming will take place in Europe later this year. Sister vessel Rotra Horizon is due to be delivered in July 2025.
Both vessels have been designed to meet the operational and procedural supply-chain challenges in the execution of offshore wind energy projects.
Customized for transporting offshore wind turbine components, the newbuilds Rotra Futura and Rotra Horizon have been designed to accommodate increasing volumes and weights of offshore wind turbine components.
Each measuring 167.6 x 26 metres and with the bridge and accommodation placed forward optimal cargo intake without any line-of-sight limitations is ensured.
Equipped with a RO/RO ramp, three Liebherr cranes and a unique gantry system, allows the stowage of blades in three tiers to provide flexibility in cargo composition and loading method, and in mixing different types of components.
Both vessels reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions thanks to an optimised hull shape, a low-drag coating and a Wärtsilä engine consuming 15% less fuel compared to today’s standards, Derugo said.
They also feature hybrid propulsion and exhaust gas cleaning meeting IMO Tier 3 standards, with waste heat recovery.
The collaboration between Deugro and Siemens Gamesa resulted in a project supply vessel conversion concept to accommodate larger, heavier offshore wind turbine components, including a specially designed RO/RO feature that has already led to significant loading risk reductions and cost savings of around 20% for the Rotra Mare and Rotra Vente.
Since 2016, to keep pace with the swift developments in the wind energy industry, and including a further modification and re-launch in 2022 both vessels have continuously been optimised.
To date, the Rotra vessels have transported an 7,800,000 freight tonnes of offshore wind equipment, representing over 9GW of wind power transported and subsequently installed offshore, Derugo said.
Both vessels will stay in operation, it added.
Christian Johansen, global commodity manager for ports & transportation at Siemens Gamesa, said: “Our offshore order backlog amounts to more than 16GW, reflecting strong global demand.
“With the development and charter of the two new Rotra vessels, Siemens Gamesa will be well prepared to ensure the safe, timely and cost-effective execution of offshore projects around the world.”
Anders Moeller, country manager for Denmark at Deugro, added: “Our trilateral Rotra Vessel collaboration, based on mutual respect and innovative thinking, reinforces our commitment to excellence and aims to make a measurable impact in the market while driving the energy transition towards a greener shipping industry.”