Norwegian marine contractor OHT’s new Alfa Lift vessel has been floated-out from its dry dock at China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) shipyard in Jiangsu.
The specialist heavy installation vessel, which is designed and built for installing the next generation XXL offshore wind foundations, was launched on 26 February.
Alfa Lift will now be moored while work continues on the steel and internal fit-out, including the mechanical completion of systems.
OHT said that key elements of Alfa Lift’s major crane components have been completed in Rostock, Germany.
The heavy lift crane’s slewing column and the A-frame are scheduled to leave Rostock in early March and will arrive in China in April where they will be installed, the company said.
Specialist transport and installation contractor OHT is to set up a new office in Danish offshore wind hub, Vejle.
The site will act as the base for the company’s operational and commercial activity for wind turbine (WTG) installation.
OHT Renewables DK A/S will be headed by Tony Millward, who joined the company on 1 January, bringing with him more than 12 years’ experience from A2Sea and DEME Offshore where he was a business unit manager for WTG installation.
He is currently general manager, WTG and administrative director of OHT Renewables DK A/S, fully integrating with the company’s existing engineering, project and commercial teams in Norway and the UK.