Netherlands-based Barge Master, a company whose solutions helps deal with sea-induced vessel motions during offshore operations, announced that it has received €7.5M from the Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam and existing shareholders.
Chantal Zeegers, an alderman of Rotterdam for climate, building and living, says, “Proud that we can contribute to this green entrepreneurship through the Energy Transition Fund Rotterdam. It is these types of entrepreneurs, these types of solutions, that contribute to the major climate challenge we face.”
A global leader in marine technology
Barge Master has developed motion-compensating technologies for offshore businesses. The company claims that it is feasible to work accurately and securely on the open sea with strong wave movements using devices it developed in Rotterdam.
Motion compensation devices from Barge Master have been employed in a variety of projects across the world. The projects have several applications in various sectors of the offshore industry. The systems have been utilised for offshore crane operations, bridge installation in the Philippines, gas platform servicing and maintenance, offshore wind park development, supply operations, safe crew transfer, and logistic solutions for offshore farm maintenance.
Dutch enterprises, largely from Rotterdam and the surrounding area, are being employed for development and construction, producing 89 temporary and 15 structural employment in the region. This reinforces Rotterdam’s position as a global leader in marine technology.
With its recent advancements in technology, the Dutch company now provides additional value for the building of offshore wind farms off the coast of the Netherlands.
Shorter construction time, lower costs and CO2 emissions
The transfer of wind turbine components from the port to the wind farms located far off the coast is difficult. The existing process involves costly installation vessels going up and down the coast to pick up the components.
The “Feeder”, invented by Barge Master, is a motion-compensating platform that can be readily fitted on existing boats. These devices maintain the balance of the huge turbine pieces so that they may be craned to the installation vessel at sea.
As a result, the installation vessel may remain at sea and continue to install while being supplied with fresh wind turbine components on a constant basis. Existing installation vessels can thus be deployed more efficiently and for a longer period of time. As a consequence, offshore wind energy building times are reduced, investments are reduced, and prices are more competitive.
Barge Master says its approach saves 100 kilotons of CO2 per year on average.
Capital utilisation
Recently, Barge Master signed a multi-year contract with DEME, a wind farm contractor, for the construction of the first large-scale commercial offshore wind farm in the US, Vineyard Wind 1 (804 MW).
The contract with DEME requires a total of four Feeder platforms. With the raised capital, Barge Master can now fund the construction of these machines, which can also be used for other offshore wind farms in the future.
Barge Master’s motion-compensated platform, crane and gangway
The Barge Master Platform can be installed on any big vessel to act as a working platform for any type of equipment. This modular motion-compensated platform can hold cranes, excavators, and drilling setups. The platform transforms deck space into a stable working place by reducing the vibrations of vessels.
The Next Generation Gangway allows uninterrupted access to any offshore structure. Regardless of the weather, this motion-adjusted gangway assures safe and fast crew movement. The technology allows persons and carts weighing up to 800 kg to use a horizontal gangway. The system’s safety features, such as triple redundancy and anti-tip-slip, make it unique, says the company.
The Barge Master Crane allows for controlled lifting operations in high sea states, allowing for activity at sea virtually all year. It has been shown to boost North Sea workability from 180 to 330 days.
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