Ulstein seals offshore heavy-lift vessel design deal with OHT

OHT has ordered the first Ulstein Alfa Lift vessel, developed by Rotterdam-based Ulstein Design & Solutions BV (UDS), at China Merchant Heavy Industry for delivery in early 2021, and has contractual options for three more ships. The 216m-long 48,000dwt vessel, with patent pending, can undertake heavy lifting operations with its main deck submerged and therefore combines the benefits of a semi-submersible unit with a 3,000-tonne lifting capacity from a Liebherr main crane.   
The DP2 vessel has been developed over the last three years to meet the likely requirements of the offshore wind industry in the future. Safety was a key driver, whilst maximising uptime for crane-based subsea installations has also been a key priority. The vessel can transport and install up to ten 1,500-tonne ultra-large jacket foundations or eleven 2,000 SSL monopiles and transition pieces for the largest wind turbine generators that are currently envisaged.
The DNV GL-classed vessel will provide accommodation for 100 persons and can reach a service speed of 13 knots.