Seajacks Zaratan – Monopile Handling Tools
In the beginning of September 2011 Seajacks awarded Conbit with the contract to engineer a solution for the handling of the monopiles for the Meerwind project. One year later the new jackup vessel was supplied, finished its first assignment and is equipped with all tools for its first big job. This project completion forms a new milestone for the Conbit team.
As with a lot of engineering jobs this one started off with an idea. The idea covered the use of SPMT’s to move monopiles from their seafastening into the fire line. The unique seafastening concept gave Seajacks the confirmation that Conbit was the right party to complete the project. After the summer the agreement was signed and the Conbit engineers started with the feasibility and the basis of design. The experiences gathered in the offshore oil- and gas industry were of great benefit during the early stages of this project.
After all factory tests were successful and to the satisfaction of the client the equipment and materials were transported to Amsterdam. At the Shipdocks yard in Amsterdam the Zaratan jackup vessel was commissioned. Conbit’s and all other equipment were installed onboard within a very short time period. Final tests of the equipment were carried out on board the Zaratan. On Monday morning the 27th of August the Zaratan left to Cuxhaven, where it would start its first big job. Seajacks was awarded a contract to install 78 foundation piles for the Meerwind offshore wind park. The Meerwind Offshore Wind Project consists of 80 Siemens wind turbines with a power output of 3.6MW each.