Cable movements

PROBLEM-SOLVING FOR SAFE, SECURE CABLE MOVEMENTS

We were delighted to help Orsted – a global leader in offshore wind – move a full inventory of array cables from the UK to a new, longer-term storage facility in the Netherlands. The final stage meant moving two array cables, with the associated containerised cargo and pallets of equipment – 760Te in all – by sea and by road. We provided the end-to-end suite of engineered logistics necessary for the job.

UNUSUAL ASSETS – ADAPTING TO PORT PARAMETERS

Problem-solving skills are worth their weight in gold. Traditionally, the Port of Harwich docks are thought of as a container terminal or RORO ferry operator. To avoid an impact on the port’s day to day operations, we organised all cable loading and stowage to be completed outside the normal port working area. That meant finding some new engineering solutions – overcoming the combined challenge of reduced ground loadings at the berth and the weight of the baskets themselves – and using the right vessel.

We needed the flexibility to not only move the cable baskets easily but also stow them safely for the sea crossing. We also needed a vessel that could operate comfortably at the berth, where draught restrictions of 5.8m prohibit the safe operation of all but a small number of heavy-lift vessels (HLVs). The cable baskets are large, too, so whichever vessel we worked with had to be capable of accommodating an outreach of 29mtr from the side.

For this reason, we looked beyond our own fleet and chartered Biglift’s Happy Buccaneer – a vessel we’d been looking forward to working with for a long time. Happy Buccaneer was once one of the largest operating HLVs in the world, with a combined lifting capacity of 2 x 700Te cranes.

END-TO-END TRANSPORTATION OF OFFSHORE HV ARRAY CABLES

We were responsible for moving two large offshore wind farm 34kv submarine cables. To ship those cables, we worked with trusted partners to spool them from their existing storage baskets into transportable baskets for the voyage. While they appear robust, and they’re large enough to appear sturdy to the untrained eye, these are actually very sensitive pieces of equipment. Spooling these cables properly – under strict manufacturers guidelines and OEM instructions for cable handling – makes sure their core integrity is safeguarded.

• All onshore preparations, both sides of the Channel
• Road haulage to transport smaller items
• Management and provision of all equipment for load-out (rollers, caterpillars, quadrants etc.)
• Weather proofing of transportable baskets, allowing for standing time
• Charter of vessels including engineering and stowage plans
• Mooring quayside at receiving port
• Managing all load-out documentation including RAMS.
• Assessing and checking container integrity
• Mobilization and loading to vessel and truck
• Executing >200+t heavy-lift operations safely

CABLE MOVEMENTS – EXPERIENCE AND EQUIPMENT

To date, Osprey is the only UK company that’s transported every type of component to facilities sited offshore, working in the renewables’ wind industry. We have all that’s needed – from cable carousels to heavy-lift cranes to multimodal marine and land transport – and the experience to overcome any challenges that might arise. From factory pick-up, by road, through to final installation many miles offshore, we provide a full suite of engineered multimodal logistics to support companies working towards carbon-neutrality goals.

By delivering critical infrastructure, safely, we play a small part in keeping up the momentum for renewables, worldwide. We ensure cables are transported safely, integrity is maintained, and the assets are delivered on budget and on time.