BMT Provides Advanced Windfarm Support Vessel Design

BMT Nigel Gee Ltd, a subsidiary of BMT Group, the leading international maritime design and engineering consultancy, is pleased to announce it has won a design for the construction of up to eight advanced 26m Windfarm Support Vessels (WSV), to be built by the Australian shipbuilder, Strategic Marine.  The vessels are to be built for Njord Offshore Ltd who has already taken delivery of eight BMT designed 21m WSVs, also built by Strategic Marine.

Developed from BMT’s well-established range of WSVs with Njord Offshore, the vessels will be 26m in length with a beam of 9.1m, powered by four Scania DI16 070 diesel engines, driving Servogear controllable pitch propellers (CPP) through a combining gearbox.  Capable of speeds in excess of 27.5 knots with ten tons of deadweight, the vessels will have a resiliently mounted superstructure together with the BMT patented Active Fender System.  Furthermore, they will be built to the DNV Wind Farm Service 1 R1 notation suitable for operation up to 150 nautical miles from shore.

These vessels will offer significant improvement in efficiency and comfort, with market leading fuel consumption and noise levels.  The first two vessels will be delivered early in 2015.

Tom Mehew, Director of Njord Offshore comments: “We have now completed over 20,000 transfers with our BMT designed 21m WSVs and have been delighted with their performance.  Therefore, going back to BMT for the 26m design was an easy choice for us. Designed specifically for windfarms further offshore, the design and layout of the 26m CPP will offer increased speed, efficiency and operational capability for our clients.”

Commenting on the order Ed Dudson, BMT Nigel Gee’s Technical Director, says: “These 26m vessels are designed specifically to provide improved operational flexibility, capability and efficiency.  The arrangement of the vessel has been developed in close co-operation with Njord Offshore and offers a highly versatile deck and accommodation design. The selection of CPP provides very high bollard pull capability without any reduction in high speed operation or fuel economy.  This contract further reinforces BMT’s position as a leader in the design of offshore windfarm support vessels.” 

Paul Liddington, Business Development Manager at Strategic Marine comments: “We are extremely pleased to be working with BMT Nigel Gee again to offer Njord Offshore another world class product. In addition, we are extremely proud that Njord Offshore have again chosen Strategic Marine to build their next fleet of larger 26m WSVs. The order clearly signifies recognition of the build quality and customized service which Strategic Marine provides.”

Paul continues: “With the organisation’s strategically located fabrication yards in Singapore and Vietnam, we have the capability to build in either location or in combination to suit client and timescale requirements. In this instance, the Aluminium Hulls will be built in Vietnam and then shipped to Singapore for outfitting and delivery.  This allows Strategic Marine to offer very competitive pricing for these new vessels.  With these vessels getting larger and more sophisticated, our local purchasing network and Asian labor rates makes our high quality products highly competitive compared to other areas of the world.”