The tried and tested Rotra concept will soon see its evolution hit the market as partners deugro Danmark, Siemens Gamesa and Amasus push forward with the newly designed pair of vessels. Customised for transporting offshore wind turbine components, Rotra Futura and Rotra Horizon, ordered at Jiangsu Zhenjiang Shipyard in China, are scheduled for delivery in 2025. 

Siemens Gamesa and deugro have entered into a long-term charter agreement for these newbuild vessels.

The new concept builds upon the existing tailor-made Rotra concept with the Rotra Mare and Rotra Vente vessels. Since 2016, this concept has proven to be very successful, reducing risk, loading time and costs by utilising a unique RO/RO and gantry system when transporting offshore wind turbine components.

The new vessels have been designed to accommodate the increasing size and weight of the next generations of offshore wind turbine components and, at the same time, to ensure best-in-class cargo intake and operational flexibility.

Rotra evolution

Rotra Futura and Rotra Horizon will measure 167.6 x 26 metres, with the deckhouse and accommodation placed forward to ensure optimal cargo intake without any line-of-sight limitations. The vessels will be fitted with a stern RO/RO ramp, three Liebherr cranes and a unique gantry system, allowing stowage of blades in three tiers, providing excellent flexibility in cargo composition and method of loading.

Reducing the overall carbon footprint was one of the main drivers in the design phase and conceptual development of these new vessels. Energy consumption has been reduced thanks to an aerodynamically and hydro-optimised hull shape, a low-resistance special hull coating and a Wärtsilä diesel engine with a 15 percent lower consumption and carbon footprint compared to today’s standards.

In addition, an efficient power train with hybrid propulsion system and an exhaust gas cleaning system meeting the highest IMO Tier 3 standards have been integrated into the new vessels, with special attention also being paid to waste heat recovery.

“The aspect of reducing the carbon footprint will be even more important in the future of the offshore wind industry,” says Hans Henrik Groen, Branch Manager and Managing Director of deugro Danmark. “Being and staying at the forefront of wind energy industry requirements build the base of our joint success.”

“In Rotra Futura and Rotra Horizon we have the right assets in place to meet future challenges and to perform essential operations. With the expansion and development of our cooperation, we are looking forward to welcoming these two new vessels. Alongside strategic partnerships with other key suppliers, this new combined fleet will ensure that we have a strong foundation from which we can execute and deliver in line with our operational expectations,” says Thomas Mortensen, Head of Offshore Project Transportation at Siemens Gamesa.

Christian Johansen, Global Commodity Manager for Ports & Transportation in Siemens Gamesa’s offshore business unit, adds: “With our record order backlog, we will be installing a significant number of wind turbines at sea globally, with increasingly larger and more complex components. With this agreement, we have taken another important step towards securing our ability to execute projects safely, on time and at the right cost level.”