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Osbit to deliver monopile upending tool for Seajacks


Offshore equipment supplier Osbit has secured a contract with Seajacks to design and build a monopile upending bucket, to be used by the vessel operator in its offshore wind turbine installation projects.

The system will initially support the development of the large-scale, bottom-fixed Akita and Noshiro Offshore Wind Farms in Akita Prefecture, part of Japan’s renewable energy expansion being developed by Akita Offshore Wind Corporation (AOW), with Kajima Corporation as the project’s EPCI contractor.

The monopile upending tool will be installed on Seajacks Zaratan vessel and has been optimised to suit the monopile diameter for the wind farm project.

The pile upending system will be mounted on self-propelled modular transporters to extend the capacity of the vessel’s existing 800 tonne crane, enabling more efficient offshore pile driving. A simple and robust control system has been incorporated into the design, in response to the need for reliable performance in a high-pressure offshore environment.

Key components for the Osbit design will be manufactured in the UK, with final assembly taking place in Singapore, to suit client requirements. The project is underway, and delivery is planned for Q1 2021.

Osbit Engineer Phil Pennington, who led the firm’s technical bid, said: “Seajacks has specific goals for this project, to make more possible with their existing installation vessel. Osbit’s track record in delivering efficient and reliable equipment tailored to our clients’ requirements makes us a good fit for them.

“We’ve used our significant experience in monopile installation and offshore handling to suit the specific requirements of this project. We are now working closely with Seajacks to deliver the project On Spec, to Budget and In Time.”

Seajacks’ Engineering Superintendent, Andrew Garrod, adds: “We are pleased to be building on our existing relationship with an innovative UK based supplier to develop a key piece of equipment to support our installation activities.”

To find out more about Osbit, please visit www.osbit.com, follow them on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Osbit

Osbit is an offshore technology company, with an extensive global track record in the development of cutting-edge equipment for back-deck and subsea applications. Osbit’s engineers design and build bespoke equipment, primarily for use in the offshore wind, oil & gas and subsea industries.

The company specialises in developing appropriately engineered solutions and delivering them ‘On Spec, to Budget and In Time – also known as the OSBIT standard. Osbit develops and delivers engineering in a diverse range of technology streams, including subsea trenching, offshore access, well intervention and pipe & cable lay.

The company’s head office is in Northumberland, UK and it also operates an assembly and loadout facility, based at Port of Blyth.

For more information about Osbit, please visit our website at www.osbit.com.

About Seajacks

Seajacks operate self-propelled jack-up vessels which provide safe and efficient offshore solutions all over the world. We operate in both the Renewable and Hydrocarbon industries.

With our head office in Great Yarmouth, Seajacks has been expanding steadily since 2006. Seajacks own and operate five of the world’s most advanced and capable harsh environment self-propelled jack-up vessels, Kraken, Leviathan, Hydra, Zaratan and Scylla.

With a track record of over 500 wind turbine installations, Seajacks’ vessels have proven that they provide an effective solution to the installation and maintenance of offshore wind turbines and foundations. Likewise, in the offshore oil & gas sector, the vessels have brought a new dimension to maintenance; modification; construction and decommissioning of wells and platforms in the North Sea.

For more information about Seajacks, please visit www.seajacks.com.