Ulstein begins Windea Leibniz upgrade

The 2017-built offshore wind service operation vessel (SOV), Windea Leibniz, has returned to its building yard, Ulstein Verft,  for modifications that will enable the ship to support offshore wind projects in a wider range of conditions.

Upgrade of the X-Bow, X-Stern vessel began at the beginning of November and is scheduled for completion in February. Work will include the installation of an adjustable pedestal for the Uptime gangway, extending the vessel’s working window by enabling the safe transfer of personnel in a wider range of sea conditions.

The Windea Leibniz will also undergo an upgrade of accommodation, with a 50% increase in single cabins for charterers. There will be 60 single cabins, rather than the current 40, enabling more people to reside on board, thereby upgrading the vessel to a CSOV capable of undertaking construction projects.

The Windea Leibniz has worked for Siemens Gamesa since delivery, operated by Bernhard Schulte Offshore. The ship manager’s managing director, Matthias Müller, said: “She has successfully worked five years for Siemens Gamesa, performing efficient service at the Sandbank and DanTysk offshore wind farms as part of their Service Train Concept. After that, she did a summer campaign for GE at the Merkur Offshore wind farm.

“The vessel … appears brand new, as if delivered yesterday. The quality and finishing are outstanding. That is one of the reasons why we choose to do the upgrade at Ulstein Verft,” Müller added