Van Oord’s offshore installation vessel Aeolus successfully installed the first of 12 turbines at the 132 MW South Fork offshore wind farm off the eastern tip of Long Island, New York in US waters.
South Fork is is the first offshore wind project in the State of New York. The 132 MW wind farm is located 35 miles east of Montauk Point, off the eastern tip of Long Island, New York. Once operational, it will generate enough clean energy to power the equivalent of 70.000 homes. The project is an initiative by the by the 50/50 joint venture partnership between Ørsted and Eversource.
Van Oord was chosen for the transport and installation of the wind turbines. Offshore installation vessel Aeolus has recently undergone a major crane upgrade, which includes a new, longer boom on its existing crane. With this new 133m long boom the Aeolus is capable of installing the newest generation of turbines for offshore wind projects. The installation work at South Fork Wind will be supported by a fleet of American vessels including barges, tugs and other support vessels.
Van Oord’s partner Crowley, with longstanding experience in the US maritime industry, will utilise their US-flagged barge, Ocean Class tug and Alert Class ship assist tug to transport the turbines from State Pier in New London, Connecticut to the offshore project site. Crowley is a maritime union employer and will utilise members of the Seafarers International Union to support the project.
New York union workers are supporting South Fork Wind’s wind turbine installation under the National Offshore Wind Agreement, an industry-leading project labor agreement between Ørsted, Eversource and North America’s Building Trades Unions. Van Oord will continue to engage and cooperate with local companies and stakeholders to successfully deliver this important project. Source/images: Van Oord
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