CONBIT Offers Complete Package with Unique Grillage Design

The specially designed Conbit grillage on the barge

9 May 2018 

Conbit has developed a unique grillage design as part of a collaborative scope for an offshore wind farm project in the UK and one of the biggest in the world. 

Conbit are providing the specialist offshore engineering for their parent company ALE, who has been contracted to provide the marine transportation, sea-fastening, load-out and ballasting of over 100 TPs for Ørsted’s Hornsea Project One, set to be the biggest wind farm in the world. 

For the structural engineering, Conbit used its internal structural engineering expertise to conduct the structural integrity and sea fastening calculations of the grillages on the barge deck. 

Once on the SARAH S barge, ALE’s latest marine investment, the TPs will be transported on the River Tees to the discharge berth. Conbit also provided the engineering for cost-effective storage and SPMT stability during the ALE transport operations at the yard. 

For the storage at the quay, Conbit designed monopile cradles. These were specifically optimised to reduce costs, as the need for welding works is reduced. 

As ensuring stability during the SPMT move was challenging, Conbit provided the engineering to enhance the hydraulic stability during the monopile positioning in relation to the sling configuration used for loading onto the SPMTs and positioning within the support cradles. 

Bart Steerneman, Engineering Manager for Conbit, said: “Using our in-house expertise, we could provide a cost-effective and safer solution for ALE to perform the heavy transport operations. This project shows the strength of the ALE – Conbit collaboration, as we are now able to provide clients with the complete service package, from transport to engineering and stress checks.” 

So far, ALE has loaded-out the first five TPs and successfully completed the first discharge onto the installation vessel. 

The Hornsea wind farm, is world’s largest offshore wind farm under development, located in the North Sea. 

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Issued by the Conbit Press Office. For more information, please contact Sarah Maia, Group PR Officer, 01782 977 146 or s.maia@ale-heavylift.com 

ABOUT CONBIT 

Conbit offers engineering, procurement, construction, installation and maintenance services especially when load handling or structural engineering is the main challenge. The business focus is on lifting projects, lifting equipment, towers and stacks, and integrated projects. 

With over 25 years of experience, Conbit has a proven track record in delivering a full-service approach and innovative customised solutions to a wide range of markets, including on- and offshore oil and gas, offshore wind, decommissioning, petrochemicals and telecom. Conbits focus is on maximising efficiency, and minimizing risks by thorough preparation for all worldwide projects. 

Further information can be found on the Conbit website www.conbit.eu