In a strong signal highlighting its confidence in the offshore wind sector, CSBC-DEME Wind Engineering (CDWE) held a strike steel ceremony today in Taiwan, when work officially began on its pioneering installation vessel ‘Green Jade’.
‘Green Jade’ is the first floating DP3 heavy lift and installation vessel to be built in Taiwan and she will sail under the Taiwanese flag. The vessel has a 4,000-tonne crane capacity and DP3 capability, which will enable CDWE and its customers to transport a multitude of the next generation, multi-megawatt turbines, jackets and components in a single shipment, making it extremely cost effective.
At 216.5 metres long, ‘Green Jade’ has a spacious, unobstructed deck and can comfortably accommodate a crew of up to 160 people. She will be capable of installing these mega monopiles and jackets at greater water depths and her DP3 technology enables the vessel to continue operations under the most challenging conditions.
Set to enter service in 2022, ‘Green Jade’ will be deployed for both the Hai Long Offshore Wind Project and at Zhong Neng for Zhong Neng Wind Power Corporation Preparatory Office. CDWE signed Taiwan’s first comprehensive, large-scale Balance of Plant Preferred Supplier Agreement with Hai Long Offshore Wind Project in October 2019. For Zhong Neng, the contracts comprise the transportation and installation of the foundations, as well as a Preferred Bidder Agreement for the transportation and installation of the turbines.
Hugo Bouvy, Managing Director DEME Offshore, comments: “We are delighted to see this ambitious project taking shape. By combining the expertise of DEME and CSBC – two market leaders – we are confident we will be able to deliver this vessel as planned and we are sure ‘Green Jade’ will play an important role in helping to shape the future success of Taiwan’s offshore wind industry. We really feel that we are participating in history with this game-changing vessel. And we look forward to taking this exciting journey with our local partners.”