For the construction of a large German wind farm, RollDock Shipping transports 66 transition pieces from Aviles (Spain) to Eemshaven (The Netherlands). At this moment, 34 transition pieces has been transported during five shipments. RollDock expects to transport the last 32 pieces in four shipments, in the coming two months.
The project, called ‘Merkur’, is a major challenge, as the components are pushing the envelope: the cargo weight, the lifting capacity of one crane and the available dock space. All are utilized to the max. The structures, realized by the Daniel Alonso group and manufactured in the workshops of Idesa and Windar Renewables, are completed for immediate installation. The transition pieces serve as a connection between the wind turbine and the base that is anchored to the seabed. Those are transported in a verticalized manner, which has represented a logistical challenge for the transport process, due to the weight of 330 metric tons and a height of 27.9 meters.
The two onboard cranes of 350 tons each, were used to load and discharge all transition pieces, using special equipment and keeping the rigging height as short as possible. To transport the cargo in a safe way, conventional seafastening methods are not suitable. Therefore, a custom-made grillage design was devised by logistical partner Coordinadora Internacional de Cargas in collaboration with RollDock, allowing for rapid turnaround times in port.
