Since January 2021, Sarens has been involved in the load-in, load-out, transport, and storage of several monopiles and transition pieces for the St. Nazaire offshore wind farm.
As part of its agreement with DEME Offshore, Sarens has been handling components weighing a maximum of 980 tonnes and measuring 62 m long. The work is being performed at the port of La Rochelle in France.
The transition pieces are unloading using the vessel’s cranes and placed on temporary supports on the quayside, before Sarens manoeuvres the units with its bespoke handler. Sarens said the handler is a new concept with several advantages, including increased safety because all preparation is done at ground level. It was certified with a load test in Wolvertem and, once at the site, was assembled within one week.
The vessel cranes also unload some monopiles directly onto SPMTs equipped with saddles, while others are placed in quayside storage areas organised by Sarens.
Sarens and a local subcontractor have constructed 16-18 dunes for monopile storage. Sarens has also organised the onsite steel support for 48 transition pieces.
