Damen Shipyards is leveraging its resources and shipbuilding expertise for offshore construction. The company now offers a complete construction service including delivery, working to clients’ designs and providing fabrication engineering expertise. Two projects are already underway.
The Dutch shipbuilder says that it sees exciting opportunities in offshore wind, in particular the emerging floating wind sector, but also recognises the potential in other segments of the offshore energy sector and aquaculture.
Damen Shipyards Mangalia (DSMa), Romania, the group’s largest facility, will play a significant role. Capable of handling very large structures, it is also equipped with a semi-automated panel line, modern blasting and painting cells, a 1000-tonne gantry crane and other equipment that make it highly efficient operationally, as well as economically.
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HVDC projects for Aker
The company is currently delivering two HVDC (High-Voltage Direct Current) offshore transmission projects at DSMa, both of which are being constructed under contracts with Aker Solutions as the main EPCI contractor. Work began last year and, with assembly and outfitting commenced, the first is due for delivery in the first half of 2023 and the second will be delivered in Q1 2024.
Once complete, the HVDC topsides will set sail for Aker Solutions’ yard in Stord, Norway, where the HVDC equipment will be installed and commissioned before they depart for their final destinations.
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Damen is undertaking the structural fabrication, surface protection, outfitting including insulation, lighting, ducting, local cabling, as well as the fabrication of the transport grillages. The structural design by Aker Solution incorporates construction friendly design principles, which enables an efficient fabrication process when combined with the facilities available at DSMa.
Wouter Henstra, Commercial Manager Damen Offshore Construction, says: ‘We are confident that the HVDC topsides will fulfil their roles for many years to come and we are delighted to be expanding the contribution that we already make to the roll-out of much-needed offshore wind generation capacity.’
Picture: HVDC topside at Damen Shipyards Mangalia.
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