Lloyd’s Register North America, the maritime classification society, will work with Northeast Technical Services (NETSCo) to design and develop a wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV). This development should be compliant with the Jones Act and is aimed to enhance the US offshore wind market.
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Lloyd’s Register and NETSCo: together in a WTIV
In this regard, NETSCo engineers and naval architects will be responsible for the vessel’s concept design. This design is expected to meet the requirements of current developments along the US East Coast and the Great Lakes area.
This design will use hull shapes, common in the US shipbuilding market. In this regard, such a feature ensures the WTIV to be built in shipyards in the country.
Lloyd’s Register will review and evaluate NETSCo’s concept design. Through its classification instruments, the organization would ensure the vessel complies with applicable rules and regulations.
The organization’s technical compliance experts will also evaluate the design against international codes and standards. One of the regulations Lloyd’s will need to look after is the US Coast Guard’s Code of Federal Regulations.
Jan Flores, NETSCo vice president, told ReNews, “the lack of Jones Act-qualified compliant wind turbine installation vessels has become a major challenge for offshore wind turbine developers.”
“With years of research and development in this industry; it is a perfect opportunity for us to leverage our engineering expertise in a strong collaborative enterprise with LR.”
Collaboration: crucial in this project
“This collaboration was a cumulation of efforts to better support the offshore wind turbine market with a Jones Act-qualified vessel alternative; as well as offering conversion options for vessels that have been dry-docked during this economic downturn,” the vice president added
“We look forward to our continued work with LR for their guidance and expertise in classification, compliance, and advisory services in the offshore industry.”
Rafael Riva, Lloyd’s Register Americas marine and offshore commercial manager, also said; “the offshore wind industry is expected to see exponential growth in the United States.
“There are currently no US-built wind turbine installation vessels, and if the sector takes off as expected, there will be a pressing requirement for such vessels.”
“What truly sets LR apart is our in-depth understanding of specific port logistics to handle WTIVs, from the significant advisory work undertaken for some of the designated US east coast ports and how this will impact the optimal operation of these vessels in the specific environment,” Riva added
“This collaboration with NETSCo to develop a Jones Act compliant wind turbine installation vessel represents an essential development to support the US offshore wind industry,” Riva concluded.
