Latest news

First transition pieces on the move

9th May 2022 in Construction, Project news, Supply Chain

The first transition pieces for the first phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm have been successfully loaded out at Smulders’ yard in Hoboken, Belgium. The transition pieces are being shipped to Sif’s Maasvlakte 2 terminal in Rotterdam ahead of their installation in the North Sea starting later this year.

In total, 95 transition pieces will be installed on Dogger Bank A, with a further 182 required for phases B and C of the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

Dogger Bank Wind Farm Marine Package Manager, Alan Evans, said:

“With a diameter of 8m and weighing in at 550 tonnes, the Dogger Bank A transition pieces are the heaviest and have the largest diameter of any to be manufactured at Smulders’ Hoboken facility.

“Successful load out of the first four of these impressive structures is an important milestone for everyone involved, and a testament to the strong partnership we share with our designers and manufacturers.”

In November 2020, the consortium Sif and Smulders was awarded the contract for the manufacture of all 190 monopiles and transition pieces for the first phases of the wind farm in November 2020, with a contract for Dogger Bank C awarded in 2021.

The monopile foundations and transition pieces for the project were designed in the UK by Wood Thilsted. Steel manufactured by Tata Steel in Wales and processed in Corby and Hartlepool is to be used in the supporting components of the transition pieces, while South Tyneside-based Metec and Rochdale-based Granada Material Handling have also won contracts with Smulders to support this innovative and world-leading project.

Caption: The first transition pieces for the first phase of Dogger Bank Wind Farm have been successfully loaded out at Smulders’ yard in Hoboken, Belgium. Image source: Smulders