Wärtsilä has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Texas based Bleutec Industries, covering Wärtsilä’s role as the system integrator for Bleutec’s innovative Binary Marine Installation Solution (BMIS), described as a cost-effective, Jones Act compliant alternative to the more expensive heavy-lift jack-up Wind Turbine Installation Vessels (WTIVs) currently in use by offshore wind contractors in Europe.
The BMIS model will be built around a combined vessel spread comprising of a Piling Installation Vessel, a WTIVLight and Service Operation Vessels. The Piling Installation Vessel will feature a gantry crane capable of lifting up to 4500t, a hydraulic hammer, and deck space for the piles. The WTIVLight will be capable of installing wind turbines of up to 22MW, while the Service Operation Vessels will provide the necessary accommodation and crew support services for working in depths of up to 60m. All vessels are designed to be powered by Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines paired with Wärtsilä’s hybrid Battery Energy Storage Systems and will incorporate the latest advances in Dynamic Positioning.
Robin Bodtmann, CEO Bleutec said: “Wärtsilä has taken an active role in this project, and their technical expertise and broad experience are very important to the success of the concept. In particular, we appreciate their industry-leading efforts in developing sustainable technologies that will largely define the industry’s future.”
George Franssen, Wärtsilä Account Manager New Builds Americas, said: “We see the Bleutec BMIS as being a game-changer for the offshore wind industry, and we are excited to have been involved from its early stages. As the system integrator, we will continue to work closely with all the parties to bring the project to a successful conclusion.”
The vessels will comply with the Jones Act, the law regulating maritime commerce in US waters and between US ports, and will be constructed and flagged in the USA. They will employ US mariners and crews supporting the US offshore wind industry. Deployment is expected to take place during the early part of 2026.
