Alewijnse electrics for Damen cable layer

The 120m vessel is intended for the installation of electricity cables linking offshore windfarms to the shore.

Alewijnse says the contract is one of the largest, single ship contracts it has undertaken and is a highly complex project.

“To win the contract for the full drive and propulsion package on this sophisticated vessel is a valued vote of confidence in Alewijnse and its capabilities,” said Jan Oud, managing director, Alewijnse Noord.

The main element of the project is the delivery of a full turnkey package for the engineering and installation of the drive and propulsion systems.

The vessel will be powered by a diesel-electric system and will feature a DP2 dynamic position system with two main and three bow thrusters.

Damen’s vessel will also have a range of equipment onboard that requires high levels of power, including the cable drum and two cranes.

Power will be supplied by a total of five generators: two 2,560 kW generators, two 1,920 kW units and an additional 1,300 kW generator.

The new vessel is expected to be delivered at the end of 2014.