Zentech and Renewables Resources International (RRI) announced their plans to build the first Jones Act-compliant, four-legged, self-propelled, dynamically positioned level 2 (DP2) jack-up vessel based on a U.S.-built barge.
The vessel is planned to have four truss legs with spud cans, provided by Zentech.
The Jones Act vessel, designed to navigate the New Bedford Hurricane Protection Barrier (located about 50 miles south of Boston), will carry and install components for at least three complete 6 MW-9 MW wind turbines. The vessel’s jacking system will be rated at a capacity of 16,000 tons.
The vessel is expected to provide the evolving U.S. offshore wind industry with a much needed and cost-competitive marine logistic solution, converting a Jones Act-compliant asset aligned with the conclusions from the European offshore wind learning curve. In this way, the initiative will also help in the creation of a sustainable supply chain in US.
When not in service for installing and/or maintaining wind turbines, the vessel will act as an oil and gas crane jack-up for decommissioning in 300-foot water depths, the companies said.
“With larger-scale offshore wind projects following Block Island, the U.S. market requires forward-looking marine logistics, such as Zentech’s competitive, Jones Act-compliant jack-up installation vessel,” stated Andy Geissbuehler, managing partner of RRI. “U.S.-made, domestically accessible and designed in concert with the advanced European offshore wind industry, this vessel conversion is another example of the important role the U.S. oil and gas industry will play in accelerating the U.S. offshore wind industry.”
The companies say they have been in discussions with U.S. shipyards in the Gulf and along the East Coast and expect delivery of the vessel to take place no later than the fourth quarter of 2018.
