November 7 - Dutch shipbuilding and design company Concordia Group has delivered and commissioned a ro-ro coaster vessel, specifically designed for the transportation of wind turbine components, to Siemens.
The ship, Rotra Vente, is 141 m long by 20 m wide, with a specially developed bow and extendable ramp - both of which are controlled by hydraulic systems. A bespoke detachable roof aims to protect the cargo from seawater and adverse weather.
Siemens will use the ship for the transportation of tower sections, nacelles and rotor blades for wind farms mainly in the North Sea.
It took ten months for Concordia Group to design and construct the vessel, which was converted from a container ship's hull into the heavy cargo ro-ro ship.
The company noted that its decision to convert a container vessel into the new ship also helps to remove tonnage from the over-supplied container market.
Rotra Vente was converted by main contractor Holland Shipyards in Werkendam and Hardinxveld-Giessendam, the Netherlands.
A second vessel - Rotra Mare - is scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2017.
HLPFI reported in December 2015 that deugro Danmark and Siemens Wind Power had collaborated on two new ro-ro vessels, with the intention of driving down costs in the transport of offshore wind turbines.
