Scope of work
As the Marine Warranty Surveyor (MWS) representing underwriting interests during the transport and installation phase, the scope encompasses independent third-party technical review, verification, and approval of high-consequence marine operations for the 900MW HVDC export cable installation, spanning 215 kilometres from North Sea wind farms to the onshore connection point in line with industry codes of practice and standards. Key responsibilities involve approving engineering documentation, undertaking vessel suitability surveys for the cable-laying barge Barbarossa and vessel Prysmian Marco Polo, and attendance of all significant installation operations.
Further to the standard MWS scope, our scope has been extended to provided 3rd party verification of the Burial Assessment Report to the German Authorities, as well as undertaking additional oversight of the logistical movements of land cable drums from several manufacturing points around the world to the onshore project construction site.
Challenges
Laying a DC cable bundle always brings challenges to cable installation, but this has been done in the highly tidal and sensitive areas around the island of Norderney in Germany, which has necessitated the use of shallow water barges and vessels to complete the laying process involving offshore transpooling, tidal flat cable pull-ins and laying over dynamic seabed conditions around closely spaced 3rd party active services. Long and complex operations in North sea environmental conditions have also brought challenges to our role.
Outcome
Our role as MWS has included the issue of over 80 CoA’s to date, and a direct lowering of the transport and installation risks throughout the project through proactive engagement with the client and contractor. Done often under challenging circumstances, we have demonstrated our flexibility and technical expertise according to the highest industry standards.
With key experience from similar projects in the past, Global Maritime has been able to use its expertise of cable installation to benefit the German drive to achieve its sustainable energy targets.
