In a testament to precision project execution, Amasus Offshore, deugro and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, have celebrated the on-time delivery of the Rotra Futura—exactly two years after the April 2023 contract signing—followed within days by the launch of its sister vessel, the Rotra Horizon, at Zhenjiang Shipyard in China. The Rotra Futura’s handover on March 30 and the Rotra Horizon’s float-out in April mark critical milestones in deploying specialized vessels for the global offshore wind energy supply chain
By bringing both vessels to market, deugro and its partners are continuing the Rotra concept: To tailor innovative solutions that 100% meet the operational and procedural supply-chain challenges in the execution of offshore wind energy projects and deliver tangible long-term benefit, deugro a pioneer and market leader in project logistics services and Siemens Gamesa a pioneer and leading global player in the wind energy sector entered into a partnership already in 2013.
This unique collaboration resulted in a project supply vessel conversion concept to accommodate larger, heavier offshore wind turbine components, including a specially designed RO/RO feature that has already led to significant loading risk reductions and cost savings of around 20% for the Rotra Mare and Rotra Vente. Since 2016, to keep pace with the swift developments in the wind energy industry, and including a further modification and re-launch in 2022 both vessels have continuously been optimized. To date, the Rotra vessels have transported an impressive 7,800,000 freight tonnes of offshore wind equipment, representing over 9.0 gigawatts of wind power transported and subsequently installed offshore. Both vessels will stay in operation.
Even further customized for transporting offshore wind turbine components, the newbuilds Rotra Futura and Rotra Horizon have been designed to accommodate increasing volumes and weights of offshore wind turbine components, while simultaneously ensuring best-in-class cargo intake and operational flexibility. Each measuring 167.6 x 26 meters and with the bridge and accommodation placed forward optimal cargo intake without any line-of-sight limitations is ensured.
Equipped with a RO/RO ramp, three Liebherr cranes and a unique gantry system, which allows the stowage of blades in three tiers to provide flexibility in cargo composition and loading method, and in mixing different types of components, both vessels accommodate larger components while reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions thanks to an optimized hull shape, a low-drag coating and a Wärtsilä engine consuming 15% less fuel compared to today’s standards. They also feature hybrid propulsion and exhaust gas cleaning meeting IMO Tier 3 standards, with waste heat recovery.
“Our offshore order backlog amounts to more than 16 GW, reflecting strong global demand. With the development and charter of the two new Rotra vessels, Siemens Gamesa will be well prepared to ensure the safe, timely and cost-effective execution of offshore projects around the world,” said Christian Johansen, Global Commodity Manager for Ports & Transportation at Siemens Gamesa
“Our trilateral Rotra Vessel collaboration, based on mutual respect and innovative thinking, reinforces our commitment to excellence and aims to make a measurable impact in the market while driving the energy transition towards a greener shipping industry,” says Anders Moeller, Country Manager Denmark, deugro
