Launching the 'Alfa Lift' foundation installation vessel
On 28 February 2021, the Ulstein designed OHT 'Alfa Lift' newbuild, a foundation installation vessel, was floated out at the CMHI yard. She is now getting prepared for crane installation. The vessel will be working on Equinor's Dogger Bank, the largest offshore wind farm in the world, after her delivery in 2022.
This semi-submersible offshore wind foundation installation vessel has been designed and developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions BV for Offshore Heavy Transport (OHT). Based on Ulstein’s Alfa Lift concept, this vessel is recognized as the most innovative offshore wind foundation installation vessel in the world and regarded as a game changer to the industry. She has been developed for the installation of the next generation big sized offshore wind foundations.
According to an OHT update, the vessel will now be moored whilst work continues on the steel and internal fit-out, including the mechanical completion of systems. Meanwhile, key elements of Alfa Lift’s major crane components have been completed in Rostock, Germany. The heavy lift crane’s slewing column and the A-frame are scheduled to leave Rostock in early March and will arrive in China in April where they will be installed.
Torgeir Ramstad, CEO of OHT added ‘This is an important milestone that brings Alfa Lift one step closer to entering service and helping to satisfy the ever-growing global demand for custom-built offshore wind installation vessels. We have no doubt that Alfa Lift will be a very busy vessel for many years to come’.
Mei Xianzhi, General Manager of CMHI added ‘The achievement of this important milestone could not be separated from the close teamwork between OHT and CMHI. Designed as an efficient vessel with one-stop service for both transportation and installation, Alfa Lift will surely become the favourite of the market for offshore wind installation vessels in the coming years. We look forward to delivery of the vessel and trust it will bring highly-efficient service to the end client in the near future’.
Once delivered, OHT ‘Alfa Lift’ will install the monopile foundations for Equinor’s Dogger Bank project, the largest offshore windfarm in the world.
The 'Alfa Lift' was one of the nominees for the Offshore Renewables Award 2020.
Film from launch, courtesy of CMHI Haimen yard:
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