Van Oord tagged logistics services provider Blue Water Shipping to assist in performing a float-on operation at Aabenraa Fjord. The company assisted in loading their three vessels onto the semi-submersible vessel Seaway Albatross.

Van Oord contracted Blue Water for the Femernbelt Fixed Link Project, a project that the company is also deeply involved in, having the responsibility for operating the port in Rødby.

Between Christmas and New Year’s, Van Oord reached out to Blue Water for guidance on the best area to perform such a float-on operation. Based on Blue Water’s experience with similar operations in the past, the company proposed Aabenraa Fjord for the operation.

An interesting float-on

Blue Water assisted with the port call coordination for all vessels, including crew transfer and accommodation for the seafarers disembarking the vessels now continuing their journey as cargo onboard the semi-submersible vessel.

“It has been a great pleasure working with Van Oord on this very interesting project. We have built a strong expertise within these types of operations, and it is always a pleasure to succeed with such significant tasks”, says Ömer Karakus, Assistant Manager Port Agency, who joined Van Oord for preparation meetings on each vessel while on anchorage off Aabenraa before operation start.

Read also: Project logistics firm jumps on Africa’s increasing energy activities

The Femernbelt Fixed Link Project is the biggest and most expensive construction project in Denmark to date and is expected to be completed by 2029. The tunnel between Denmark and Germany is to be operated by green power and with a focus on energy efficiency and future-proof solutions. The link is part of a larger European strategy to create green traffic corridors.