Siemens Wind Power, BS Offshore and Ulstein have received the OSJ Offshore Renewables Award 2017 for the SOV vessel Windea La Cour.

The Offshore Renewables Award is awarded to a company, project or product that has made a significant contribution to the development of the offshore renewables market during 2016.

The Windea La Cour was nominated, and eventually won, the award, partly due to its X-STERN aft hull. Reports show that vessels servicing the offshore wind turbines operate backwards at least 50-70 per cent of the time after having arrived at the wind farms. The video below was shot at the vessel's sea trial, where the backing abilities were tested.

Shortlisted for the award were:

  • Palfinger’s turbine blade access system, the PBA, for which Senvion recently became the first customer
  • Windea La Cour, a turbine maintenance vessel for BS Offshore/Siemens, the world’s first X-STERN hullform vessel
  • Barge Master’s Gangway system for personnel and cargo. The Barge Master Gangway Model 3.0 compensates vessel motions in significant wave heights of up to 3m
  • Voith for the Voith Linear Jet. The VLJ is a new type of propulsor combining the best properties of conventional propellers with the best properties of conventional waterjets. 

Another Ulstein designed vessel, the ALP Striker, was shortlisted for the 'Support Vessel of the Year' Award.

Source: Ulstein