Terminal operator Cuxport is handling offshore wind foundations, destined for the Borkum Riffgrund 2 offshore wind farm, at the port of Cuxhaven.
According to Cuxport, a part of the Rhenus group, 20 suction bucket jackets are being assembled and stored at the offshore base in Cuxhaven. The jackets will be shipped to Ørsted's Borkum Riffgrund 2 wind farm site in spring.
Oceangoing barges, each loaded with three jackets, as well as coasters loaded with suction buckets, have been arriving at Cuxhaven since February.
Upon arrival at the port, a Liebherr LR 11350 crawler crane lifts each jacket from the barge, placing each unit onto the previously positioned buckets.
After they have been assembled, the complete suction bucket jacket, measuring more than 50 m high and weighing 950 tons (861.8 tonnes) in total, is transported using SPMTs across the heavy-duty berth to be placed in a specially prepared storage area until the installation vessel collects the structures.
"A project of this magnitude requires precise planning and execution, both for the transhipment and storage as well as the transport," explained Roland Schneider, head of business development at Cuxport.
Instead of drilling into the seabed, 20 of the 56 foundations for the offshore wind farm, which is located approximately 40 km northwest of Borkum, are fitted with suction buckets.
GeoSea, part of the DEME Group, will lower the foundations onto the seabed using the installation vessel, Innovation.
