Shipdock looks to offshore wind opportunity

Shipdock says thatit’s busilly improving its position in the market to take advantage of the increase in repair and conversion jobs generated by the rapidly growing offshore market.

Because of burgeoning wind energy activities on the Dutch and British North Sea shelf new windfarms are being developed in deeper waters, 5MW turbines have become commonplace, so offshore vessels and jack-up barges need to be equipped to install them at sea.

To this end, GMS decided to lengthen the legs of the barge by an additional 19m, which will allow the barge to operate in water with depths of up to 60m.

Shipdock’s task is to mount the four extensions, each weighing 65 tonnes, on top of the existing legs and weld them into place. To achieve this a special 1.350t mobile crane has been temporarily installed on the barge platform.

Senior project manager, Tjeerd Schulting, said: “Both Shipdock and GMS are experienced in this field and we have agreed on a tight and secure schedule for the tasks. Workers have daily toolbox briefings before they go up. Good cooperation and understanding between GMS and Shipdock is the crucial factor for success on this project.”

The GMS Endeavour is currently ‘standing’ in elevated mode in order to make life easier for the team of fitters and welders, thus guaranteeing the most efficient working conditions.