Rhenus Offshore Logistics replaces containers at a dizzy height

Rhenus Offshore Logistics has replaced two containers on a cable access platform at the Nordergründe wind park. The job involved fully coordinating and completing the work and included solving the technical problem and making available the suitable cargo fastening equipment.

The special challenge in this job involved replacing the two 10-foot containers at a height of 24 metres. What made the task more arduous was the shallow draught and the tidal range, which only provided a restricted time frame for the operation at the Nordergründe wind park, which is located about 15 kilometres off the coast in the North Sea.

Rhenus Offshore Logistics developed a tailor-made concept for this and specific suggestions for completing the task, including all-round support. The containers with the materials were loaded at the Jade Weser Port in Wilhelmshaven and transported to the wind park by Rhenus. An offshore support vessel (OSV) with special crane gear was used to replace the containers, as the cable access platform does not have its own crane. The exchange process for the two containers at the site went without a hitch and took about four hours in all.

"This was the first project of its kind. The platforms all had their own crane for the supply trips that we’ve handled in the past. However, this platform doesn’t have any of its own equipment. That’s why we opted for an OSV with the relevant crane capacity," says Svenja Beck, Offshore Wind Project Manager at Rhenus Offshore Logistics; she was on board for the project and provided support for the complete operation.

"We owe the smooth and successful handling on the spot to the excellent teamwork by all those involved. The preparation by the customer and the level of cooperation during the exchange process were very professional and worked perfectly. At the end, we’d even completed things ahead of schedule."

Following the successful conclusion of this project, Rhenus Offshore Logistics is planning to specialise even more on special project loads and therefore expand its portfolio for turnkey offshore logistics solutions.