In the future, operators of offshore wind farms will have one point of contact for all technical and service issues: Voith and the SCHRAMM group will pool their vessel design expertise and will jointly develop special vessels for the transfer of staff and material to wind farms in the North and Baltic Seas.
In addition to the vessel design, Voith will supply the propulsion systems. The SCHRAMM group contributes all services, from the supervision during the vessel building process up to the vessel management. If service technicians have to enter wind turbines in waves of up to four meters to carry out repair or maintenance work, the Voith Schneider Propeller (VSP) is the ideal propulsion concept for added safety. It ensures that such special vessels can precisely keep their position, even in high seas, and dampens vessel movements.
The specialists of Voith and of the SCHRAMM group have evaluated the seaway data prevalent in the areas of operation. The result of the technical study shows, that a single-hulled vessel with a length of 30 to 35 meters is ideally suited to meet the demands of wind farm operators. With a maximum speed of 15 knots, the vessel can serve wind farms close to the shore. Wind farms further offshore can be reached via a supply station. The vessel can carry sufficient supplies to stay at sea for two weeks without having to call at a port. Depending on the customer requirements, 12 to 24 service technicians can safely and comfortably be brought to their destination.
The SCHRAMM group GmbH & Co. KG based in Brunsbüttel, Germany, is an owner-run strategic alliance of individual companies specializing in all important areas of the maritime industry, from port operation through tug business to vessel development. The subsidiary NavConsult
GmbH & Co. KG is a planning, consulting and engineering office and forms part of the SCHRAMM group GmbH & Co. KG. In addition to the Heavy Lift projects and maritime logistics and management, one focus is on the development of tugs, pontoons and special vessels for the offshore industry.
Voith Turbo, the specialist for hydrodynamic drive, coupling and braking systems for road, rail and industrial applications, as well as for ship propulsion systems, is a Group Division of Voith GmbH.
Voith sets standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transportation & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs more than 40,000 people, generates €5.6 billion in sales, operates in over 50 countries around the world and is today one of the biggest family-owned companies in Europe.
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World Maritime News Staff, February 9, 2012; Image: SCHRAMM