The CIMC Raffles shipyard has successfully delivered the offshore wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) ‘Norse Wind’ to Belgian marine engineering company DEME.
The delivery is said to mark another milestone in China’s market positioning in the global high-end offshore equipment manufacturing sector. The Norse Wind is the first vessel in the NG20000X series, representing the first WTIV designed with a full DC power distribution system. The WTIV consumes significant electrical power during jacking and lifting operations. The DC power system overcomes the inefficiencies and high energy consumption of traditional AC systems. By intelligently controlling generator speeds, it reduces fuel consumption, enhances operational efficiency, and improves environmental performance.
As a flagship project supporting Europe’s clean energy transition, the Norse Wind is equipped with a DP2 system, featuring high deck load capacity and lifting performance. The vessel is capable of transporting and installing multiple types of wind turbines, meeting the demanding operational conditions of the North Sea continental shelf.
Norse Wind is fitted with a 3,200t main crane and the latest hybrid battery propulsion system. Notably, the battery system can fully replace the output of one main engine, reducing carbon emissions per megawatt installed by more than 70%. After delivery, the vessel will be deployed to the Nordsee Cluster wind farm in Germany.
According to the shipyard, the Norse Wind project, one of the most highly automated wind turbine installation vessels today, has been delivered on time and highly commended by the shipowner and DNV.
Image: ‘Norse Wind’ WTIV (source: CIMC Raffles)
