Keel laid of Jan De Nul’s Voltaire
On 25 March, at the Cosco Shipping Shipyard in Nantong, China, the keel for Jan De Nul’s Offshore Jack-Up Installation Vessel Voltaire was laid. The ceremony took place in the presence of Jan De Nul’s, Cosco’s and Bureau Veritas’ representatives.
Voltaire will be the first Offshore Jack-Up Installation Vessel on the market, able to transport, lift and install next generation offshore wind turbines and its ever larger foundations. The vessel will have better operational limits compared to the existing Jack-Ups. The larger deck space will also enable to optimise installations at sea and to lower the fuel consumption and emissions. But not only will this vessel be ready for the future of offshore renewables, it will also be deployable for the oil & gas industry, and for decommissioning of offshore structures. All these activities will be performed in a sustainable way thanks to lower fuel consumptions and emissions through Jan De Nul’s in-house developed ULEv technique (Ultra Low Emission vessel). Ground-breaking: the Voltaire will be the very first seaworthy EU Stage V-certified offshore installation vessel with ultra-low emissions in the world.
The Voltaire is equipped with a main crane of over 3,000t and a DP2 system. The vessel has an operating depth of over 80m, a payload of about 14,000t and accommodation for 110 persons. With her four legs, the Voltaire can lift itself above the sea level for stable working conditions. She will be delivered in 2022.