Inaugural job for ALE’s new barge

Heavy lift and transport specialist ALE has used its latest marine investment, the Sarah S barge, for its inaugural job. It is currently transporting transition pieces (TPs) as part an offshore wind project in the UK.

ALE has been contracted to provide the specialist offshore engineering, as well as the marine transportation, sea-fastening, load-out, and ballasting of over 100 TPs for Ørsted’s Hornsea Project One. Once complete it will be the biggest wind farm in the world.

ALE’s Conbit team has performed the structural integrity and sea fastening calculations of the grillages (the foundations for the TPs) on the barge deck.

ALE then started its heavy lifting and transportation scope in March 2018, loading-out the first TPs (each weighing 337 tonnes and measuring 25 metres high) from the fabrication yard onto the barge and performing the sea-fastening and marine transport.

Once on the Sarah S barge, the TPs are being transported on the River Tees to the discharge berth. ALE said the Sarah S is 3 metres narrower than most North Sea barges, making it ideal for this project, as it can fit between the quayside and the offshore installation vessel. It also falls in line with the vessel’s crane radius limits for transferring the TPs from the barge to the installation vessel.

“This project demonstrates our ability to offer the full, specialist marine scope of work. From utilising our internal expertise and engineering unique solutions to offering an extensive fleet and operative skills, we can manage the complete project,” said ALE’s Steve Small, commercial manager – marine. “We have the variety to select the most suitable vessel for the project location and scope, ensuring the client saves time and costs on the project.”

To date, ALE has has loaded-out the first five TPs and successfully completed the first discharge onto the installation vessel. The operations are expected to last until the end of 2018.