Ulstein, a ship design and solution company, has introduced a groundbreaking ship design concept for installing large monopiles. The U-Stern, as it is called, enables the longitudinal storage of monopiles and upending in the ship centerline, allowing the ship to face waves head-on during installation, reducing ship motions and fuel consumption.
The design also provides excellent protection from waves. The U-Stern, in combination with transverse and longitudinal skidding systems, eliminates the need for offshore lifts for monopiles, as the main crane is only required for supporting the upending and lowering of the foundation.
According to Ko Stroo, Product Manager/Lead Naval Architect in Ulstein Design & Solutions, the U-Stern is not just a simple recess in the stern, but rather a well-calibrated design. “The shape and location of the recess are finely tuned with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and motion analysis to make it work in harmony with the crane and mission equipment,” he said.
Ulstein’s Managing Director, Edwin van Leeuwen, noted that the U-Stern is not a one-trick pony, but a versatile design suitable for jacket installation and other heavy lift installation work. “In the past months, we have presented the U-Stern to major contractors and operators, many recognizing this as the most viable solution for installing the next-generation monopile foundations,” he added.
The new design is expected to provide significant benefits for offshore wind installation companies. By reducing ship motions and fuel consumption, the U-Stern design concept will help companies lower their operating costs while improving safety and efficiency during installation. With the U-Stern, the installation process can be completed more quickly and with less risk, enabling offshore wind projects to be completed faster and at lower cost.
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Ulstein’s innovative ship design concept promises to be a game-changer for offshore wind installation. With its advanced design, the U-Stern offers a cost-effective and efficient solution for installing large monopiles, jackets, and other heavy lift installation work.
