Spain-based Offshoretronic has developed a new transportation and installation method for ultra-long XXL monopiles by using a dual crane lifting and transportation technique.
The company said the technique applies to monopiles over 100 metres in length and diameters above 10 metres.
Offshoretronic said the Sustainable Installer and Sustainable Transporter vessels will be able to transport and install in one single turnaround 12 ultra-long XXL monopiles.
“The combination of two equal size and shaped vessels will create the best possible workability- windows,” the company said.
It added that to ensure safe and successful pile installation without pile-tip damage and buckling during transport, lifting and installation the monopiles will need to be supported over larger areas.
But making an offshore lift with one single lifting point will increase the risk of buckling and damaging the pile-tip ring of ultra-long XXL monopiles.
The company said this risk will make many existing heavy lifting crane vessels with one single heavy lift crane unit obsolete for next generation foundations.
Other cost savings will be delivered by double stacking the monopiles and installing the foundations using a Vibro hammer up to 50-70% of the final pile penetration.
This eliminates the use of pile Gripper systems.