ABS awards AiP to Ned Project turbine installation vessel

The NP20000X ULAM design is intended as a Jones Act-compliant unit that is able to meet future offshore wind market requirements, specifically operations involving the installation of 15-20 MW wind turbines.

Its innovative approach sees monopiles loaded vertically on an 8,000 m² deck, eliminating the need to rotate monopiles to the vertical position at sea, increasing efficiency and safety.

The design is equipped with a leg-encircling crane with a working load of 3,500 tonnes that is capable of handling turbines of 240 m rotor diameter and 150 m tower height.

Poland-based Ned Project is working with GPZ Energy to develop the ULAM installation vessel for the US market.

“There is significant potential for growth in the US offshore wind market and we are confident our design has the attributes required,” said the company.

“The vessel’s scale and handling capacity, as well as the innovative way it handles monopiles, means it is perfectly adapted to serve the US industry.”

The design is hydrogen-ready with the enginerooms able to be converted into compartments accommodating polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells, making it possible to rely solely on hydrogen to meet the ship’s energy demands.