IHC Confirms Successful Launch Ceremony for NEPTUNE

september 26, 2011

The launch ceremony for the NEPTUNE took place on 23 September 2011 at the IHC Merwede shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, The Netherlands. The self-elevating heavy-lift jack-up vessel is being built by IHC Merwede for GeoSea NV, the offshore marine construction specialist company within the DEME Group, based in Belgium.

The contract for the detailed design, construction and delivery of the vessel was signed between GeoSea and IHC Merwede on 16 September 2010 and the keel was laid on 25 March 2011. The vessel will be operational in the first quarter of 2012, which equates to an impressively short lead time of a year and a half – from signing the contract to delivery – for this complex, hightech and unique vessel.

The 60-metre long and 38-metre wide DP2 (dynamic positioning) self-propelled jack-up vessel is equipped with a dedicated 600-tonne crane that is fully integrated into the hull. The NEPTUNE will be perfect for the transport and installation of offshore wind turbines and any other heavy marine offshore structures.

Once operational, the NEPTUNE will be provided with a Green Passport delivered by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). On delivery to GeoSea in early 2012, the vessel will start its first assignment on Thorntonbank off the Belgian coast, where it will perform the installation of 48 wind turbines for the second and third stages of the C-Power offshore wind farm. Then, it will move to German waters in the North Sea for the construction of the Trianel West Borkum II wind farm (45km north of the East Frisian Island of Borkum) and the EnBW Baltic 2 wind farm (32km north of the island of Rügen).

The new jack-up vessel has been given the name, NEPTUNE, as this god of the seas represents the universal ocean of oneness with all beings. Therefore, Neptune is strong, unyielding, indomitable, idealistic and imaginative. Neptune is considered to be a planet of inspiration, dreams and creativity. All of these characteristics are an ideal match for GeoSea’s aims and values.

Main features:

Hull

Length: 60m

Breadth: 38m

Depth: 6m

Design draft hull: 3.9m

Legs

Number: 4

Type: circular section, diameter 3.5m

Leg length: 80m

Jacking system

Type: GustoMSC hydraulic positive engagement