Developers of offshore wind projects are turning to Singapore’s shipyards and operators for solutions
Developers of offshore wind projects are turning to Singapore’s shipyards and operators for solutions
Hung Hua Construction (HHC) has ordered two of Damen’s FCS 2710 fast crew supply vessels for use in Taiwan’s burgeoning offshore wind energy industry. The contract was signed at the end of January and the vessels will be built at Damen Shipyards Singapore for delivery in early 2020.
HHC is Taiwan’s largest nearshore construction and dredging company and recently became involved in the offshore wind sector.
The twin-hulled FCS 2710 with its Damen trademark Axe Bow is 1 m longer than its predecessor, the FCS 2610. However, it can carry twice as many personnel and offers more flexibility, more tank capacity, greater usable deck space, increased comfort and more accommodation. It can also operate in wave heights exceeding 2 m.
The two vessels for HHC will have other small changes to meet the company’s specific demands and optimise them for local Taiwanese requirements and conditions.
Damen sales manager, Asia Pacific, Michiel Hendrikx, said “The FCS 2710 is proving to be very successful in the offshore wind market in Europe and we are sure that it will also perform well in Taiwanese waters, which can be quite harsh and rough. We are also confident that the market in Asia will have more demand for this type of vessel in the future and so we have decided to start series production of the FCS 2710 in Singapore with two more vessels to be ready for delivery in 2020.”
In the longer term, HHC is expected to acquire more CTVs and could expand its fleet up to eight vessels.
Elsewhere in Singapore, Sembcorp Marine’s offshore construction unit has netted contracts from offshore wind industry leader Ørsted.
The group has signed an agreement with Ørsted Wind Power subsidiary Optimus Wind Limited for the engineering, procurement, construction, hook-up and commissioning work on two topsides, to be deployed on the Hornsea 2 offshore windfarm in the UK.
With a combined weight of approximately 8,700 tonnes, the topsides will be fabricated at Sembcorp Marine’s integrated yard facilities for delivery in Q1 2021.The 1.4-GW Hornsea 2 offshore windfarm – set to be the world’s largest when operational in 2022 – is 89 km northeast of Grimsby in the North Sea.
As highlighted previously, the authorities in Singapore hope getting involved in offshore wind energy can help companies grappling with the effects of a long-term decline in demand for offshore vessels and rigs find work.
Sembcorp Marine head of offshore platforms Samuel Wong said, “Sembcorp Marine is honoured to have the customer’s trust in our ability to deliver the topsides safely, on time and with the desired quality. We are very grateful to Ørsted and Optimus for the contract, and for the opportunity to progress further in the competitive offshore renewable energy market.”
Sembcorp Marine is best known as a builder of rigs and platforms for the offshore oil and gas industry, where it has a 50-year track record. It focuses on rigs and floaters, repairs and upgrades, offshore platforms and specialised shipbuilding and counts major oil companies, drilling contractors, shipping companies and owners and operators of floating production units among its customers. It owns and operates shipyards and other facilities in Singapore, Indonesia, Norway, the UK, US and Brazil.
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