WindPartner AS, a company based in Kristiansand Norway, has entered into newbuilding contract with Esbjerg Shipyard A/S (Denmark) for the construction of a new designed daughter craft for personnel transport between mother vessel and offshore wind turbines for offshore wind farm service and maintenance work. The vessel can also be used as a small CTV for near shore offshore windfarms.
«Based on the vessel’s first class sea state capabilities and easy launch and recovery from the mother vessel / platform, WindPartner can offer a much more cost effective operation during construction, operation and maintenance of offshore windfarms” says CEO in WindPartner, Mr. Morten Mellerud.
The vessel is unique and is based on design by another Kristiansand based company, ESNA AS. The vessel utilizes SES technology to reduce wave-induced vertical vessel motions. This increases the safety during personnel transfer, and the flexibility and utilization time compared other comparable vessel based solutions.
“In addition to the unique design, we offer a business model based on chartering to vessel owners and wind farm operators where WindPartner owns and operates the vessel as long as the customer needs the vessel. This is the most cost effective solution for the customer, especially for short and medium term contracts” says Mr. Eivind Nordal – Director Business Development in WindPartner.
«This business model has not been offered for this type of vessel before and has been very well received in the market” says Mellerud.
WIndPartner and ESNA have a long time cooperation agreement with the ambition to build a series of vessels of this type the coming years.
“The first vessel is financed by locally based investors in combination with support from ENOVA and OWA, and by loans from by Innovasjon Norge and Den norske Bank”, says the Chairman of Board, Mr. Jan Erik Tønnessen.
“This vessel will contribute to more efficient operation of offshore windfarms, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by replacing bigger vessels that are in use today. The technology is transferable to other vessel categories and may therefore have significant ripple effects”, says advisor Anita Edland in Enova SF.
The vessel will be delivered early 2018 and will be ready to commence operation springtime 2018 after completed successful testing and demonstration in offshore windfarms, organized and supported by Offshore Wind Accelerator/Carbon Trust in UK.
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About WindPartner:
WindPartner AS is an independent service and package solutions provider to the offshore wind industry with main focus on operation and maintenance solutions based on owning and operating state-of-the art SES Daugther Crafts and CTVs.
About ESNA:
ESNA AS is an independent ship design company for high-speed vessels. The company specializes on air cushioned catamaran/Surface Effect Ships (SES) and operates at the crossroad between advanced military and commercial high speed craft technology and the markets for offshore renewable energy and maritime operations.
About Esbjerg Shipyard:
Esbjerg Shipyard A/S is a part of Granly Gruppen A/S, Esbjerg in Denmark. Esbjerg Shipyard cover all maritime needs including repairs, maintenance, classification, refitting, overhauls and inspections. Esbjerg Shipyard have two dry docks, each with a capacity of 120 meter and 4500 T.
Contact:
Morten Mellerud
CEO
WindPartner AS
Phone: +47 952 10 858
e-mail: morten@windpartner.no
Eivind Nordal
Director Business Development
WindPartner AS
Phone: +47 415 25 577
e-mail: eivind@windpartner.no