The SEA CHALLENGER newbuild project has encountered a different and difficult kind of big wave – a record heat wave.
A2SEA’S hottest project?
The weather has always had an impact on offshore wind projects, but this time, it’s making itself felt in a quite different way. A persistent heat wave in southern China has brought record-breaking high temperatures since early July 2013. In fact, nothing like this has been measured for the past 140 years. Naturally, with temperatures of over 35°C (105°F) for 25 of July’s days, conditions aren’t so comfortable for workers building SEA INSTALLER’s sister ship, SEA CHALLENGER.
Michael Østergaard, Head of Newbuilding, A2SEA A/S
But the weather isn’t the only challenge to the new vessel’s timetable. First, the shipyard has experienced staff turnover following Chinese New Year, leaving it temporarily short on qualified workers. Second, the joint decision to use the same project team as for SEA INSTALLER has seen most of that team’s efforts directed to successfully delivering SEA INSTALLER. And finally, a number of major components will be arriving later than hoped.
Plan B to the rescue
To make up for lost time, a new project schedule was put in place during June, addressing the completion of the main crane in its two configurations (which was not included in the previous schedule) and allowing for a second docking of the vessel. The revised schedule removed the critical need to complete the vessel’s legs before the July 1 undocking. Instead, this task could be added to the list during a second docking period starting August 31. SEA CHALLENGER was duly undocked on July 3rd and the project’s momentum was restored.
Part of the new plan was to have the Chinese construction team work double shifts to install electrical systems. The heat wave, however, soon put a stop to this initiative, so the final impact of the weather on SEA CHALLENGER’s schedule remains to be seen.
A tug assists SEA CHALLENGER to get along the quay side for outfitting. Photo by Udo Leideck
Second time around
Of course, there are many factors, too, that will assist the goal of timely completion. Having built SEA INSTALLER is a major advantage for this project, particularly in terms of delivering the quality of build we’ve specified for SEA CHALLENGER. And we’ve been full of praise for COSCO’s achievements in this area. Given the history of working together, there is good, open communication between A2SEA and the yard, and we can definitely feel that COSCO views the project as a showcase project that shows it can fabricate installation vessels to the satisfaction of European ship owners.
We have also started mobilizing the vessel’s crew to help strengthen the site team, sending two electricians from Europe to support the site team. Both will join her crew once the present assignment is complete.
The heat is on
Will SEA CHALLENGER stick to its delivery date of 27 January 2014? The yard is still working toward the contractual date – and luckily, we’re expecting the weather to be much more pleasant going forward.
SEA CHALLENGER is the sister vessel of SEA INSTALLER, and is scheduled to join the A2SEA fleet at the beginning of 2014. The vessel’s first assignment will be the installation of 35 Siemens 6MW turbines at DONG Energy’s Westermost Rough beginning July 2014.
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