MAN Energy Solutions will supply the engines for Cadeler’s two X-class and two F-class jack-up installation vessels. Each vessel will feature a mixed MAN medium and high-speed engine concept.
The order for the engines was awarded by the Chinese shipbuilder, COSCO Heavy Industries, in Qidong, which is building the jack-ups for Danish offshore service provider, Cadeler. The four vessels are scheduled for delivery from 2024 through 2026.
X-class vessels are designed to operate at some of the most difficult sites around the globe with a deck space of 5600 m2, a payload of over 17,600 tonnes and main crane capacity >2000 tonnes at 53 metres. The F-class has similar specifications, but is flexible and can be quickly converted from a foundation-installation unit to a wind-turbine-generator installation vessel.
The F-class jack-ups will be able to transport and install seven complete 15-MW turbine sets per load or six sets of 2XL monopile foundations per round-trip – a substantial improvement in efficiency over existing vessels. The vessels will also feature a unique design that enables their conversion from foundation-installation to wind-turbine-installation vessels (WTIVs).
Also read: Huisman to supply fourth mega crane for Cadeler jack-up
Mixed-engine concept
Each vessel will feature an engine configuration based on a mixed MAN medium- and high-speed engine concept. As a result, the newbuildings will have the greatest lifting capacity of any vessel ever seen in the field in line with the growing size of modern wind turbines. Each engine will also feature SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) and meet IMO Tier III emission standards.
‘This is a unique application that will set a new standard for offshore turbine installation and sustainable marine operations, as well as being a great showcase for our mixed-engine concept,’ says Elvis Ettenhofer, Head of Marine Four-Stroke APAC, MAN Energy Solutions. ‘With its reliability and long times between overhauls, the 175D has the DNA of a medium-speed engine, which is why it matches so well with our 32/44 units.’
Also read: Cadeler to triple fleet with another hybrid jack-up order
The mixed-engine concept involves frameless 2 × MAN 6L32/44CR + 2 × MAN 9L32/44CR + 2 × MAN 12V175D engines and offers a number of advantages:
- space savings – including small total genset footprint and compact SCR sizes – minimises engine room and funnel space, leading to larger deck area;
- optimised power/weight ratio with the mixed engine concept including the frameless design for the medium-speed 32/44CR engines. In this instance, the total engine weight of the Cadeler project is around 200 tonnes. This is a new benchmark that saves fuel, CO2 emissions and increases the payload;
- optimised OPEX through low specific fuel oil consumption (SFOC) during low-load operation and off-engine when not required. This delivers an efficient fuel consumption and reduced engine-operating hours;
- increased redundancy – the 32/44CR and 175D lead in engine dynamics and load ramp-up. Hence, it is possible to have a minimum number of gensets online;
- The engines are equipped with the latest generation of common-rail systems and can be adapted to operate on low or neutral CO2 fuels.
Picture: The Cadeler fleet of jack-ups including the X-class and F-class (by Cadeler).
Also read: MAN part of suppliers that provide new propulsion system for Germany’s F126 frigates
