Belgian installation contractor Jan De Nul has launched its new heavy lift vessel at a shipyard in China.
Ordered in 2019, Les Alizes will be capable of installing XXL offshore wind components in floating conditions.
Now afloat, sea trials and final modifications to the vessel can start from the shipyard CMHI Haimen, China, with delivery expected in the second half of this year.
Les Alizes first assignment will be the Gode Wind 3 and Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farms in Germany, transporting and installing 107 monopile foundations for Orsted.
Jan De Nul Group offshore division director Philippe Hutse said: “Together with our Offshore Jack-Up Installation Vessel Voltaire, which is also under construction in China, we will have the perfect set of offshore installation vessels that will be able to install current and future generations of offshore wind farms.”
Jan De Nul held an official ceremony with representatives from the CMHI Haimen shipyard yesterday following the floating of the vessel.
The ship boasts a crane with a Universal Quick Connector developed by Huisman and a motion-compensated pile gripper with an integrated guidance and survey system to install monopiles.
The fully-automated monopile handling system consists of tailor-made cradles, skidding system and upending hinge to handle and install XXL monopiles.
The hybrid-diesel vessel also comes with an advanced dual exhaust filter system, which Jan De Nul said would remove up to 99% of nanoparticle emissions and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and other pollutants.