SCHOTTEL expands US offshore wind services

Operating wind farms in the US requires a large fleet of Jones Act compliant Service Vessels (SOVs) fitted with propulsion systems and DP systems. The ships have to be regularly inspected and maintained in dry dock and their propulsion systems overhauled. With the new partnership, Lyon Shipyard and SCHOTTEL will support this growing industry, as well as existing markets.

As part of the agreement, Lyon Shipyard has invested in a 500 square meter maintenance building for omnidirectional propellers. SCHOTTEL, in turn, provides Lyon with technicians and technical support.

The global wind industry has only a limited number of dedicated wind turbine installation vessels (WTIVs), two of which are already equipped with SCHOTTEL drive systems – DEME’s Innovation and Jan de Nul’s Vol au Vent. Other installation ships, such as the two ships Voltaire and Les Alizés by Jan de Nul, are currently still under construction and will also be equipped with SCHOTTEL propulsion systems. When delivered later this year, they will be among the largest ships of their kind in the world.

Johnny Gaskins, VP Production at Lyon Shipyard, said: “Our partnership began years ago with harbor tugs. Back then, we overhauled drive units here in the presence of SCHOTTEL. Today we have a wide range of all-round controllable drives, including replacement units and parts. We were able to build up capacities here on site to be able to service SCHOTTEL drive systems in all performance classes.”

SCHOTTEL brings to the new agreement its extensive experience in the European offshore wind sector as well as in the US commercial workboat market. “With a worldwide network of expertise, we can establish a world-class service base on America’s East Coast. With Lyon Shipyard we have a strong partner at our side, located in Norfolk, Virginia, in the heart of the American offshore industry. This is how we guarantee the level of service that SCHOTTEL customers expect from us,” said Gary Aucoin, Managing Director of SCHOTTEL.

Last year, SCHOTTEL entered into a cooperation agreement with two leading West Coast Canadian companies to support the growing local fleet of ships with SCHOTTEL propulsion systems. Under the terms of the agreement, North Vancouver-based Seaspan Vancouver Drydock will act as the service and support centre, while Burnaby-based McRae Electric will act as the electrical and controls service provider. Since SCHOTTEL Canada was founded in 2016, the number of ships in the Pacific Northwest equipped with SCHOTTEL propulsion systems has increased enormously. Vessel types include ferries, tugboats, fishing vessels, and Coast Guard and Navy vessels.