Construction of offshore wind farms requires new type of vessel
A joint venture between HOCHTIEF Construction and the project and heavy-lift carrier provider BELUGA Shipping has commissioned the construction of a special jack-up vessel for the more rapid assembly of offshore wind turbines from the Polish shipyard Crist. The vessel should go into service in 2012, in order to meet the big demand for special equipment in this booming market. It was agreed that no details of the contract value would be disclosed.
BELUGA HOCHTIEF Offshore developed an innovative concept and the design to handle these tasks and will also operate and charter the vessel once it is constructed. In addition, the jack-up vessel will be used by HOCHTIEF for offshore construction jobs. Henner Mahlstedt, Chairman of the Executive Board of HOCHTIEF Construction says, “There is huge interest from market players. We are therefore considering the construction of a second jack-up vessel.” According to Mahlstedt, HOCHTIEF expects annual sales of almost half a billion euros from the Group’s entire offshore business.
