Grangemouth, UK – GAC UK has been appointed by Seaway Heavy Lifting (SHL) to provide essential shipping services support for the construction and installation of 84 new turbines as part of a major windfarm expansion project which will increase generating capacity almost six-fold.
SHL, the engineering, procurement, construction and installation contractor, will design, supply and install the piled foundations, jacket substructures and inter-array cables for the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited (BOWL) project in the Outer Moray Firth. They will also transport and install the offshore substations.
SHL has appointed GAC UK to provide a range of shipping, logistics and support solutions including:
- ship agency and handling of vessels delivering materials and equipment for the construction work, with a location in the Cromarty Firth being used as a storage hub for grout deliveries to the offshore site
- support for other vessels that will be involved in the project, such as CTVs, multi-cats and barges at all ports in the UK except Wick
- handling crew changes out of Aberdeen using a helicopter service, with Invergordon as a back-up
- arranging local towage services
- providing office and staff accommodation for SHL personnel working on the project
Both SHL’s crane vessels will be deployed: HLV Stanislav Yudin’ from April 2017 to April 2018, HLV ‘Oleg Strashnov’ from August to October 2017 and again from May to July 2018.
Michiel Goedkoop, Operations Director at SHL, says: “GAC's understanding of the quality and efficiency our operations require and the time-critical nature of support our sector demands, and their proven dependability, were key in the decision to award them the contract.”
Jeannette Shoebridge, GAC UK’s Renewables & Dry Bulk Manager, adds: “As a Group, we have a long-standing relationship with SHL and their vessels, especially the ‘Stanislav Yudin’, which we have taken care of at Gwynt-y-Mor, Burbo Bank and Dudgeon windfarms previously. A 3D illustration of the ‘Stanislav Yudin’ even features in GAC’s advertising campaign!”
Commitment to renewable energy
GAC has been serving the renewable energy sector in the UK since its beginnings, and was instrumental in the development of Walney 1 and 2, West of Duddon Sands, London Array, Gwynt-Y-Mor, Humber Gateway, Westermost Rough, Burbo Bank and Dudgeon windfarms.
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