The Voltaire is a self-elevating and self-propelled vessel designed for installation of offshore wind turbines. Recently launched at the COSCO Shipping Shipyard in Nantong, China this vessel will be the second and largest jack-up vessel in Jan De Nul’s fleet, and able to support the renewable energy industry to build next generation offshore wind farms. Designed in-house, and pushing engineering boundaries, Voltaire is built to transport, lift and install offshore wind turbines, transition pieces and foundations. The main crane with a capacity of over 3,000 tonnes will enable it to construct the current and future generation of wind farms at sea. Voltaire is ready for the future of offshore renewables, and will also be available to the oil and gas industry for the decommissioning of offshore structures.
With four approximately 130 m long truss-type legs and a high-speed rack-and-pinion jacking system, the vessel is able to operate on up to 80 m water depth, and with 7000 m2 cargo deck, a 3,000 t main crane and a jacking deadweight of 14,000 t, it is able to carry and install even the largest wind turbines.
The vessel is equipped with a DP-2 diesel-electric propulsion system consisting of 8 gen sets, 4 stern thrusters, 2 bow thrusters and 2 retractable bow thrusters.
The accommodation block, which holds 100 crew single cabins, is unique in that it is divided into two separate blocks – one in each side – which allows long cargo items to be stowed in the CL between the two blocks. The vessel is further equipped with a helicopter deck.
Voltaire is able to run on second-generation biodiesel that reduces the fuel carbon footprint by up to 90%. She is also equipped with a highly advanced dual exhaust filter system, removing up to 99% of nanoparticles from emissions using a diesel particulate filter (DPF) and reducing the NOx emissions and other pollutants by means of a selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) to levels in accordance with EU Stage V regulation.
