All Coast, LLC, the most experienced company in liftboat management and operations in North America, has entered the U.S. Offshore wind-farm market.
All Coast operates the most versatile and largest liftboat fleet in North America. Having won numerous safety awards, its vessels have a reputation of being the most well maintained and safely operated vessels in North America.
Given its success in the offshore oil and gas industry, All Coast has decided to parlay that experience into the support of the offshore wind industry. They have undertaken the development of a new liftboat, which will be the first Jones Act Compliant vessel built for the purpose of U.S. wind-farm installation and support activities (WTIV). The liftboat will be capable of installing the offshore foundations and wind turbines, as well as providing necessary maintenance in years to come.
All Coast has partnered with Semco, LLC, the Southeast Louisiana-based shipyard. Semco has many years of experience in building liftboats that have been used around the world, including some of the largest liftboats ever built in the U.S. The yard also has the honor of having built the only liftboat in the U.S. that has been used for offshore wind farm installation and support. As a yard with the reputation of being on the forefront of large liftboat construction, Semco has been chosen to deliver the vessel to be used in the offshore wind farm jobs, on time, and within budget.
“We have never found a challenging project we didn’t like. Semco has built its reputation on leading the way,” said Semco’s Allen Moore.
The foundation of a good vessel is great design and engineering, which is why All Coast has also partnered with A.K. Suda, Inc., Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, to design this liftboat. Suda is one of the most accomplished designers of liftboats in the world. Suda has designed many first-of-a-kind vessels including the first USCG approved liftboat, the first truss leg liftboat, and the three largest liftboats in the world, to name a few.
“We are honored, though not surprised, to have the best in the business ask us to join the team,” said A.K. Suda’s principal, Ajay Suda. “Our designs are by far the most efficient and cost effective.”
“The vessel has to be special-purpose, and efficiently designed, built, and operated to have any success in this business,” said John Powers of All Coast. “Barges on legs don’t make WTIVs.”
The noted liftboat is based on the Suda model JG6000P. Its design has been optimized by Suda to work within the restrictions presented at different staging ports in the U.S.
“Siemens Gamesa is confident in the development of offshore wind, and the U.S. is a focus market for us as we expand outside of developed markets in Europe. A U.S.-flagged installation and maintenance vessel helps to establish a sustainable offshore industry in our country,” said Jason Folsom, head of sales, Offshore Americas, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.
Source: A.K. Suda
For more information, go to www.aksuda.com
