A positive aspect of wind energy has always been the benefit to the economies and industries that support it. Shipping is one such industry crucial to wind farm development. PES speaks to Xavier De Meulder, Project Manager for Meriaura Ltd. about how wind energy is helping drive and develop his business.
PES: Welcome back to PES magazine. How’s business been since we last spoke? Have you been involved with any keynote developments that you’d like to share with us?
Xavier De Meulder: In the six months since we last spoke, we have had a number of keynote developments. A major factor which has influenced our shipping business has been the recent harsh winter conditions – business was tough, and although it has now gradually picked up a bit, figures are on the low side. This is particularly true for the break-bulk and project cargos where volumes are low and competition high.
A keynote development was the recent acquisition to our regular fleet of the M/V Antonia; a 4500dwt, ice class 1A vessel suitable for both bulk and break-bulk cargos built in 2000. We trust that M/V Antonia will meet our customer’s standards. In the offshore wind area an important feature was the successful transportation of transition pieces for the account of Dong Energy to the Walney 2 Offshore Wind Farm. Even though we faced a very tight schedule, the M/V Aura performed all the deliveries on time.
Other milestones have been the new building orders of the multifunctional deck cargo carrier (sister vessel of M/V Aura) and of the trimaran personnel transfer vessel Wind 18. Production has started on both vessels and deliveries are expected respectively at the end of April 2012 and end of December 2011.
