15th Dec 2016, ALE Heavylift has performed the final load-out for the Wikinger OWF Project in Ferrol, Spain, by using SPMT (self propelled modular transporters). ALE was contracted to undertake a variety of services for the Wikinger project across two project sites, Cadiz and Ferrol in Spain.
The scope in Ferrol was divided into three main parts: weighing 12 jackets, transporting 29 jackets within Navantia Fene Shipyard and loading-out the 29 jackets.
ALE commenced the project in December 2015 and performed the final load-out in December 2016. Each jacket weighed between 625t – 650t, and was loaded-out using
SPMTs (self propelled modular transporters) and a CC8800 crawler crane. Throughout the project, ALE has performed over 60 land transportations (two per jacket) using SPMTs and 29 load-outs using a crawler crane during 2016.
The operation is part of the Wikinger project which also includes the transportation and loadout of a jacket and topside in Puerto Real, Cádiz.
Hussam Kasis, ALE Project Engineer, said: “In order to comply with the client’s schedule, we adopted a new technique to attach and detach the jacket to the crane and, as a result, we were able to reduce each load-out by three hours to complete it within just nine hours.
“As one of the biggest projects ALE has undertaken throughout Europe in 2016, it was a
very interesting project to work on and be a part of. We received really positive feedback
from the client surrounding our ability to adopt new and different techniques whilst keeping safety and time critical deadlines a priority.”
These jackets and other pieces will eventually be part of Wikinger, the German offshore wind farm. Being the substation will become the heart of the offshore wind energy park based in the Baltic Sea. The electricity produced by its wind turbines offshore will power 350,000 German households and reduction of CO2 emissions by almost 600,000t per year.
