Swire orders second windfarm installation vessel

The new vessel, Pacific Osprey, will be the same specification as Pacific Orca, currently under construction atSamsung and delivering in 2012. Pacific Osprey is scheduled to arrive in Europe in early 2013 and will be used for the installation of wind turbine generators for Dan Tysk Offshore Wind in the German North Sea. Pacific Orca, which was originally contracted by the Dan Tysk project, will be committed to another European project. The re-allocation of Pacific Orca and Pacific Osprey between projects provides the parties with a better alignment between the delivery dates of the vessels and the commencement of their initial contracts, says Swire.

The Swire Blue Ocean windfarm installation vessel design focuses on safety, efficiency and reliability and will provide customers with a significantly improved operating weather window, claims swire. The advanced specification features a usable deck area in excess of 4,000 sq m, DP 2 station keeping, a 1200 tonne capacity crane, a total jackable weight of 8,400 tonnes and a transit speed of 13 knots. The vessel is well suited for the installation of both wind turbines and foundations.

"Exercising the option to build our second Windfarm Installation Vessel is an important milestone for the company and underlines our commitment to the offshore wind industry", Lars Blicher, general manager and director of Swire Blue Ocean, commented. "The industry, quite rightly, has high expectations of the levels of safety, efficiency and operating performance required from vessel owners as it moves towards increasingly challenging projects. We are fully focused on ensuring these objectives are met."

For more information, please contact Swire Blue Ocean A/S in Denmark, tel +45 7026 3133 - attention Ms Rikke V. Stoltz, Business Development Manager & Director, email info@swireblueocean.com or visitwww.swireblueocean.com