Drydocks World shipyard in Dubai has held a steel cutting ceremony for Royal Boskalis Westminster’s Bokalift 2 conversion project.
As HLPFI reported here, Boskalis will convert an existing hull to create the new ship, which will boast 7,500 sq m of deck space and have a 4,000-ton (3,628.7-tonne) capacity revolving crane capable of lifting structures more than 100 m high.
The steel cutting ceremony marked the beginning of a new phase in the modification of the vessel’s hull and deck.
The conversion includes the fabrication and installation of 9,000 tons (8,164.7 tonnes) of steel blocks on both sides of the vessel to increase its stability, and the installation of a new work deck. The crane, manufactured by Huisman, will be installed during 2021.
The first project for Bokalift 2 will be the transport and installation of 62 three-legged jacket foundations and the accompanying 186 pin piles for the Changfang and Xidao (CFXD) offshore wind farm, located approximately 15 km off the coast of Changhua County, Taiwan.
Peter Berdowski, ceo of Boskalis, said: “The huge deck space combined with the large crane make the Bokalift 2 an extremely versatile asset and valuable addition to the Boskalis fleet. We look forward to putting this unique crane vessel to work on its maiden offshore wind project in Taiwan.”
