Boskalis Annual Report 2018

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monopiles on the large deck in one go. We can then get straight to work on installing them. That cuts back considerably on transport movements in comparison with a jack-up vessel, and we can complete jobs faster. The logistical benefts are enormous. We are forging ahead with an eye on the future: wind farms are being built further and further offshore. Jack-up vessels can only be used in shallower waters. That’s not an issue with the Bokalift 1.” FEWER SHIPPING MOVEMENTS “Deploying the Bokalift 1 cuts back on shipping movements and reduces fuel consumption,” Swan continued. “That also means less carbon emissions, a factor that is increasingly important for many clients. And thanks to the DP system, we can quickly reposition the Bokalift 1 and keep working, even when wave conditions are more challenging and during strong winds.” Van Dodeweerd: “The market demands multifunctionality and that is exactly what the Bokalift 1 delivers. In addition to the installation of wind turbine foundations, topsides and jackets, it can also be used on decommissioning projects, the dismantling and immediate removal of existing oil and gas installations or outdated wind farms. We also believe there are openings in subsea or salvage work. The ample accommodation means we can house large numbers of specialists, such as divers and welders, on board.” FIRST PROJECT Immediately after the ship went into service in February 2018, its frst job was the transport and installation of the foundations for 102 wind turbines on the East Anglia project. Boskalis is involved in the construction of this wind farm in various ways. In addition to installing the foundations, we are installing and connecting the inter-array cables. “An important job for the Bokalift 1 on this project is the pre-piling. That involves driving three piles into the bed using a frame. Then we use our heavy crane to position a jacket above the three piles. The Bokalift 1 has been ftted with hydraulic piling hammers for the pile-driving. The enormous deck allows us to transport about thirty piles and two jackets to the East Anglia wind farm in a single operation,” Swan explained. FUTURE ASSIGNMENTS The next challenge for the Bokalift 1 will be a number of platform decommissioning projects starting in mid-2019. “On projects like these, the advantage of the new vessel is that we can disassemble platforms into smaller sections and store them on deck immediately,” Swan said. The Bokalift 1 will then install the jackets and monopiles on another wind farm in British waters.

The Bokalift 1 installing jacket foundations for the East Anglia wind farm

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