New type of operations and maintenance service agreement marks milestone in offshore wind industry
DBB Jack-Up Services A/S announced today a charter agreement with Siemens Energy. The agreement will see Siemens charter a new purpose-built jack-up vessel from DBB Jack-Up to service the rising number of large-scaled offshore wind power projects across Northern Europe.
Thorsten Jalk, CEO of DBB Jack-Up, says, “This charter agreement is a significant milestone for the offshore wind industry as it represents a new approach to offshore wind operations and maintenance. There are significant savings to be made from having a service strategy based on being prepared ahead of time for fast mobilisation. This is especially important as more and more wind turbines are installed in increasingly challenging conditions.”
The three-year charter will enable Siemens to be well prepared for fast mobilisation in the event of an unscheduled exchange of a major component of an offshore wind turbine. This will reduce operations and maintenance lead time as it will not be necessary to contract, equip, load parts and mobilize a jack-up vessel for a specific project and then demobilize again at completion.
The jack-up vessel WIND SERVER chartered by Siemens is currently under construction at Nordic Yards in Germany and is scheduled for operation in Siemens offshore wind projects in 2016.
The vessel is purpose-built for maintenance and service operations and with efficient asset utilization and synergies from shared logistics between offshore wind power projects, the new vessel will play an important part in reducing the levelised cost of energy (LCoE).
DBB Jack-Up Services A/S
DBB Jack-Up is a dedicated operations and maintenance service provider to offshore wind farm owners and turbine manufacturers. With a solid track record gained from more than 330 major component replacements on 15 different offshore wind farms, DBB Jack-Up is committed to maintaining a reputation as a safe, competent and flexible service partner. DBB Jack-Up was established in 2008 as a company within the DBB Group, based in Aarhus, Denmark. In addition to offshore wind turbine operations and maintenance services, the DBB Group provides salvage and subsea inspection services. Find out more at www.dbbjackup.dk.
Siemens’ Maritime and Aviation Solutions
As the global leader in offshore wind service, Siemens’ Maritime and Aviation Solutions Team has the experience and expertise to address the often complex and unique logistical needs within the offshore market to help insure the continued reliability of customers’ assets. Siemens is committed to developing full logistical concepts for offshore wind, including specially designed service operations vessels featuring on-board accommodations and hydraulically stabilized gangway systems for safe access to the turbines in adverse weather conditions
