Construction of Jumbo-SAL-Alliance’s Orca newbuilding series has started at the Wuhu Shipyard in China, with the first steel cutting ceremony taking place on February 22.
The ceremony for the first vessel – which has the project name W2231 – took place in the presence of Sebastian Westphal, managing director of the Harren Group; Jakob Christiansen, head of research and development, retrofit and newbuilding; and Alexander Fidler, project manager for the Orca series.
This week, the steel cutting for the second Orca newbuilding (W2232) will take place at the shipyard.
The expected delivery date for the first vessel is July 5, 2024.
The order with Wuhu Shipyard includes four 14,600 dwt multipurpose heavy lift vessels, plus two options. The first two ships will be exclusively involved in the transport of offshore wind turbine components in a long-term commitment with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, as HLPFI reported here.
The third and fourth vessels will enter the premium heavy lift shipping market to serve clients of the Jumbo-SAL-Alliance in the first half of 2025.
