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Offshore Wind: Uptime International announces new "walk to work" contracts.


Dudgeon Offshore Wind Limited has awarded a 5 year contract for the Service Operation Vessel to Esvagt AS.

The contracted Service Operation Vessel (SOV) for Dudgeon wind farm is of the Havyard-832 design with a length of 83.7 meters and a width of 17.6 meters. The vessel is a DP-2 Class operated vessel, accommodating 60 persons of which 40 cabins are available for technicians and service personnel used for the maintenance of the wind farm. The vessel is utilized with a gangway system and a heave-compensated crane for the safe transfer of personnel and goods to/from the turbines and the substation. The noise and vibration criteria as specified in the Clean Design and Comfort Class combined with the installation of an anti-roll stabilizing system is further adding to the comfort levels of the people onboard. The warehouse logistics onboard is containerized allowing quick turnaround’s in port.

The contract includes for options for extension, up to a total of 5 additional years.

“Dudgeon is the first offshore wind farm in the UK using a Service Operation Vessel; a concept we expect to see more frequently used as the wind farms get bigger and are located further from shore. We are therefore very pleased to sign the contract with one of the ship owner that has been in the forefront of developing and maturing this concept,” says Dudgeon Operations Manager Rune Rønvik. “Esvagt is offering a highly advanced Service Operation Vessel, ensuring safe and efficient transportation of people and equipment to the Dudgeon wind turbines,” Rønvik concludes.

Dudgeon Offshore Wind Limited, which holds the licenses and consents to enable it to construct the Dudgeon offshore wind farm, is owned by two Norwegian companies, Statoil and Statkraft, and Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company, Masdar. Statoil holds the responsibility as operator for both the construction and the operational phase.

Statoil is an international energy company with operations in 33 countries. Building on 40 years of experience from oil and gas production on the Norwegian continental shelf, it is committed to accommodating the world’s energy needs in a responsible manner, applying technology and creating innovative business solutions. It is headquartered in Stavanger, Norway with approximately 23,000 employees worldwide, and is listed on the New York and Oslo stock exchanges.

Statkraft is Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy and is the leading power company in Norway. The company owns, produces and develops hydropower, wind power, gas power and district heating. Statkraft is a major player in European power trading and has 3,600 employees in more than 20 countries.

Masdar is Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today’s fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future. Wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company PJSC, the strategic investment company of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirate’s long-term vision for the future of energy and water.