The vessel is a improved version of the MSC NG5500 design, which incorporates a fully redundant DP2 propulsion system, accommodations for 90 persons, and an 800T leg encircling crane designed by MSC. With these capabilities, the vessel is capable of installing wind turbines and foundations in water depths up to 55mt.
The contract also provides Seajacks with an option to build one additional vessel at Lamprell, which it expects to exercise in the foreseeable future. Delivery of Zaratan is scheduled for the second quarter of 2012, and the additional new-build shortly thereafter.
Seajacks currently owns and operates two self-propelled jack-up vessels out of Great Yarmouth in the UK, the Seajacks Kraken and Seajacks Leviathan. Both vessels are purpose built for installing offshore wind turbines, as well as being able to perform a number of niche operations for the North Sea oil and gas industry.
Blair Ainslie, managing director of Seajacks, said: “We are very excited to announce the construction of Zaratan and look forward to providing this new generation of purpose built vessels to our clients. These vessels will facilitate faster and more efficient installation of turbines and foundations offshore, and establish us as one of the major contractors in this growth industry.”
