June 15 - MHI Vestas has chartered United Wind Logistics' (UWL) specialised deck carrier Vestvind to transport turbine components to Belfast for the Walney Extension wind park off the UK west coast.
In addition to the long term charter of the vessel, the cooperation between MHI Vestas and UWL includes a full package of engineering services.
UWL's managing director, Lars Rolner, explained: "The Vestvind, as the logistical solution, is the result of our joint efforts and close partnership with MHI Vestas."
The vessel fits the high requirements for efficiently transporting the V164 components, including blades, nacelles and towers. The V164-8.0 turbine features 80 m long blades, weighing 35 tonnes each; a 20 m x 8 m x 8 m nacelle, weighing approximately 390 tonnes; and an approximate hub height of 105 m.
Vestvind was added to the charter fleet of Hamburg-based heavy lift shipping company United Heavy Lift (a sister company to United Wind Logistics) in September 2016. Owned by the Indian maritime logistics and port infrastructure company, J.M. Baxi Group, the ship was previously called Vir Varenya and was delivered from China in June 2016.
On its almost 2,700 sq m deck, this special-purpose 10,000 dwt vessel can transport large components for the wind energy and offshore industries.
Speaking last September, Rolner said he felt that potential customers for chartering the deck carrier are primarily in the northern European market.
