(HOUSTON) — Zentech Inc. and Renewable Resources International (RRI) have announced a plan to deliver the first Jones Act-compliant, self-propelled, dynamically positioned jack-up vessel to the emerging U.S. offshore wind industry, Digital Journal reported.
Zentech plans to use an American-built barge for the DP-2 vessel. It will install four truss legs with spud cans, an already proven design used by the oil and gas industry, all integrated onto the new hull. In 2016, when the first U.S. offshore wind farm was being constructed off the coast of Rhode Island, Block Island Wind Farm's developer, Deepwater Wind, had to use Europe-based Fred Olsen Windcarrier’s Brave Tern to install the wind turbines because the U.S. didn't have a boat large enough for the work.
The new vessel has been designed to be compliant with the Jones Act and discussions are already being held with U.S. shipyards in the Gulf and along the East Coast.
“With large-scale offshore wind projects following Block Island, the U.S. market requires forward-looking marine logistics,” said Andy Geissbuehler, managing partner of Renewable Resources International. “U.S.-made, domestically accessible and designed in concert with the advanced European offshore wind industry, this vessel conversion is another example of the important role the U.S. oil and gas industry will play in accelerating the U.S. offshore wind industry.”
The vessel is expected to be ready by the last quarter of 2018.
Click here to read the story.
