The Dutch based company IHC Gusto Engineering will design and supply various elements of the jacking system for the world’s first Wind Turbine Installation Vessel under a contract awarded by Mayflower Energy (UK). This unique vessel, serving a new offshore industry, has been ordered from China’s Shanhaiguan shipyard with an option for a second vessel. The vessel can, after arriving at the installation location, be fully jacked out of the water by its six legs. After jacking the vessel out of the water it will become a stable platform from which a 300 tons crane will be able to safely install the wind turbines.

The 130.5m long vessel (38m beam) with displacement of approx. 14,000 tons will be capable of working in water depths of maximum 35 meter. Each 60-meter long leg will be provided with the Gusto’s designed hydraulic jacking system. The entire system comprises 48 large size hydraulic cylinders enabling the 130-meter long vessel to be fully jacked-up above the water. Two sets of cylinders are applied to each leg and each set is able to provide the 2500t jacking capacity thus enabling to achieve high jacking speeds.

The Gusto’s scope of work comprises the design of the legs, spudcans and jacking system and also the manufacturing and supply of all hydraulic components and control systems. The components are to be delivered to the Chinese shipyard in the second half of 2002 for installation on board the vessel. The first vessel is expected to be delivered early in 2003.