SMIT sheerlegs Taklift 4 installed the final element for one of Belgium’s first offshore wind farms, Belwind, the wind farm’s high voltage transformer substation. SMIT also provided the transport of the element and other marine support services to assist the construction of the wind farm.
The 1,175 tonnes substation was prefabricated at the Hoboken construction yard and loaded onto the large flat-top barge E3505. SMIT provided full project management, from design of the seafastenings and transport to the installation lift. The tug Union Boxer towed E3505 loaded with the substation from Hoboken to the location off Zeebrugge. One of SMIT’s multipurpose vessels, Smit Beluga, also attended to support the final positioning of the sheerlegs and barge. With the lifting slings connected, the seafastenings were released and the substation was lifted onto the monopile on August 11. Taklift 4 was rigged with the 1,400 tonnes flyjib for this lift, which was performed on behalf of client Fabricom. On completion, the lifting slings were released and Taklift 4 was demobilized. SMIT has also supported earlier phases of work during the construction of the Belwind project - the country’s third wind farm development. Various tugs in the SMIT fleet have been supporting installation vessels responsible for installing the monopiles.
