(With extra pictures) SWZ Maritime editor Hugo Dill has explored the Maasvlakte 2 (MV2) ports with the Futureland Ferry. One of the sights: the Pioneering Spirit.
The Futureland Ferry takes visitors on a tour through Maasvlakte 2. The Pioneering Spirit is currently undergoing final outfitting at the Pr. Alexiahaven at MV2 and forms a part of the MV2 tour. Currently, the heavy equipment is being installed on board the Pioneering Spirit.
Hugo Dill took the pictures you find in the album below. Please click the pop-out link to view them in their proper dimensions.
Pioneering Spirit
Pioneering Spirit (formerly Pieter Schelte) is a dynamically positioned vessel for single-lift installation and removal of large offshore oil and gas platforms, and the installation of oil and gas pipelines. Inspired by the offshore heavy lifting pioneer Pieter Schelte Heerema (1908–81) and designed entirely in-house at Allseas.
Heavy Lifting and Pipelaying
The twin-hulled vessel is 382 m long and 124 m wide. At the bow is a slot, 122 m long and 59 m wide, that enables the Pioneering Spirit to straddle a platform and remove entire topsides in a single lift using eight sets of horizontal lifting beams. Two tilting lift beams for the installation and removal of jackets will be located at the vessel’s stern.
The Pioneering Spirit is also equipped with pipelay equipment that makes it possible to install record-weight pipelines from shallow to ultra-deep water, and achieve high lay rates. The tensioner capacity of 2000 t is double the capacity of the world's largest pipelay vessel, Allseas' Solitaire, and will enable the Pioneering Spirit to shift pipelaying boundaries even further.
Dynamic Positioning and Motion Compensation
Pioneering Spirit can sail under its own power at a high transit speed, making it suitable for worldwide use. Operating on full dynamic positioning, it can work accurately in any water depth, while its light ice class will extend the periods in which it can operate in polar regions. Due to the motion compensation system, it can make large lifts in hostile seas.
Operational in the Summer of 2016
The vessel was built in South Korea by Daewoo and arrived in Rotterdam for final outfitting in January 2015. The installation and commissioning of the topsides lift system beams will be completed during the winter of 2015/2016, after which the lifting system will be tested at sea. The Pioneering Spirit will commence offshore operations in the summer of 2016, with removal of the Yme topsides in the Norwegian North Sea.
Videos of the Pioneering Spirit can be accessed through the Allseas website.
