Page 33: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Mar/Apr 2025)

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Image courtesy LDA

EXPANDING THE OFFSHORE WIND FLEET

A major milestone in LDA’s offshore wind ambitions came with its recent announcement of a new series of

SOVs designed to support operations in the North Sea’s challenging conditions. The company has selected Salt

Ship Design as the naval architect and ZPMC shipyard in

China to construct the vessels.

"We're not newcomers to this market," Cailleaux notes. "Our frst SOVs, Wind of Change and Wind of Hope, were launched in 2019 for Ørsted and have proven to be highly successful, leading to contract extensions. This experience allowed us to win a competitive bid with Vat- tenfall, and we’re applying those lessons to refne our next- generation vessels."

To that end, the new SOVs will feature enhanced crew comfort, optimized workspaces for technicians, and cut- ting-edge energy effciency measures. They will also be designed to withstand North Sea conditions with 99% operational uptime, ensuring reliable service for offshore wind farms.

One of LDA’s key innovations in its new SOVs stems from real-world operational data. Hybrid-electric pro- pulsion, frst introduced in the Wind of Change, has proven to be a game-changer in reducing fuel consump- tion and emissions.

"Based on y ears of operational insights, we’ve made three

We're not newcomers major improvements," Cailleaux said. "First, a redesigned layout for technician workfow, reducing unnecessary steps to this market. Our first and improving effciency. Second, optimized electrical sys-

SOVs, Wind of Change and tems and energy-effcient equipment to cut consumption.

Wind of Hope, were launched

And third, enhanced seakeeping capabilities for better per- formance in rough waters." in 2019 for Ørsted and have proven to be highly successful,

OFFSHORE WIND’S GROWTH & LDA’S ROLE

The offshore wind sector is expanding at an unprece- leading to contract extensions. dented pace. Europe’s installed capacity is set to quadruple

This experience allowed us from 40GW today to 140GW by 2030, fueling demand for SOVs and Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs). Cailleaux to win a competitive bid with sees this as a major growth driver for LDA’s feet.

Vattenfall, and we’re applying "As wind farms move further offshore, the industry will rely more on SOVs than CTVs," Cailleaux said. "This those lessons to refine our aligns well with our expertise. We're also actively involved next-generation vessels." in installing inter-array cables, which complements our vessel operations."

Beyond feet expansion, decarbonization is another – GAËL CAILLEAUX, pressing priority. The maritime industry accounts for [ap-

RENEWABLES GENERAL MANAGER, proximately] 3% of global CO2 emissions, and LDA is

LDA committed to sustainable solutions, exploring full-electric, march/april 2025 OFFSHORE ENGINEER 33