Belgian Dredging Giant Jan de Nul launched their much hyped about vessel – Les Alizés, capable of installing and decommissioning offshore wind farms. The vessel was launched on 2nd January 2022, at the CMHI Haimen shipyard in China. This newest addition to Jan de Nul’s fleet will be the largest heavy lift vessel in their fleet.
Jan de Nul representatives were present at the launch ceremony. The dry dock was flooded and the vessel was floated. The last phase of construction including outfitting will be done while moored alongside the dock. Upon completion of successful sea trails the vessel will be handed over to DJN by the second half of 2022.
Much high profile assignments await the Les Alizés upon deployment. The transportation and installation of 107 wind turbine monopile foundations for wind farm construction in Germany as part of the Gode wind 3 and Borkum Riffgrund 3 Offshore Wind Farms would be the project to begin with.
Jan De Nul Group, Offshore Division Director, Philippe Hutse commented that the construction of Les Alizés is well on track and expected the vessel to be deployed well in time. He was emphatic about the company’s vision of continuing to build the infrastructure assets for the future harnessing renewable energy from offshore installations. He further state that along with Offshore Jack-Up Installation Vessel Voltaire and Les Alizés, they now hold the perfect set of offshore installation vessels which will ensure safe installation of current and future generations of offshore wind farms. Unlike Voltaire, Les Alizés is a floating installation vessel and can thus work without the help of legs jacked up into the sea bed thereby allowing operations to be carried out in any depths, irrespective of seabed conditions. He was ecstatic about the potential of the new vessels in offering the most efficient installation solutions and results.
Les Alizés will feature a crane with lifting capacity of 5,000 tons. This crane is equipped with a Universal Quick Connector which will be the largest of its kind and efficient enough to deliver a major step change in safer offshore lifting activities. The crane is the result of collaboration of the expertise of Jan De Nul’s operational and engineering teams and Huisman. The vessel also comes with a fully automated mobile handling system, custom made with a set of cradles, a skidding system and an upending hinge to handle and install XXL monopiles. The highly advanced electrical gripper, with an integrated guidance and survey system is another highlight of the vessel to ensure safety and accuracy.
Jan Van De Velde, Head of Newbuilding Department at Jan De Nul Group, stated that they are continually focused on operational efficiency and improving safety. He assured that Les Alizés will be an ultra low emission vessel with hybrid capability. The vessel is designed to run on second-generation biodiesel that reduces the carbon footprint by up to 90%. Upto 99% of nanoparticles from emissions will be removed using an advanced dual exhaust filter. The selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) will reduce the NOx emissions and other pollutants to levels in accordance with EU Stage V regulation.
Les Alizés is truly the next generation vessel as it leaves minimum carbon footprints, does heavy duty and multi tasks simultaneously. Though conceptualized and designed to be used for the construction of offshore wind farms, Les Alizés will be suitable for decommissioning offshore oil and gas platforms as well.
