A consortium led by Hamburg-based ONP Management and Boston-based Renewable Resources International has developed the Jones Act compliant transport and installation vessel solution FEEDERDOCK. The solution is dedicated to addressing the unique US requirements and the evolving shortage of offshore wind installation assets.

With a crane capacity of 3,000 tons and a crane hook height of up to 182 meters above deck, FEEDERDOCK is designed to install the 25 MW wind turbine generation including foundations up to 2,800 tons. Its leg length of 131 meters grants the ability to cope with water depths of up to 70 meters.

FEEDERDOCK applies proven European installation methodology with its U-shaped, global heavy lift jack-up installation vessel, paired with US built Jones Act Articulated Tug Barges (ATBs) docking inside the installation vessel before jacking-up.

This unique arrangement avoids challenging “floating-to-fix” component transfers at sea by enabling a secure “fix-to-fix” turbine installation process which is preferred by the leading wind turbine manufacturers.