Providence, May 8, 2019 - Ørsted, the global leader in offshore wind, and WindServe Marine, LLC, a premier offshore wind support services provider, have entered into a partnership to construct a purpose-built offshore Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The vessel will be built by WindServe’s affiliate shipyard, Senesco Marine, and will help create and sustain in-state jobs for over 40 local tradespeople, engineers and managers.
“As offshore wind development enters an exciting new phase here on our shores, WindServe Marine is the right partner for Ørsted to ensure that our vessels are locally built and locally operated,” said Thomas Brostrøm, President and CEO of Ørsted North America. “The American offshore wind industry started here in Rhode Island, and we are dedicated to fulfilling our promise to develop a domestic supply chain and increase job opportunities in the renewable energy industry.”
Planned for use in Ørsted’s and Eversource’s Revolution Wind project, the CTV will be a high- speed, custom design from BMT Group, a leading international design, engineering, science and risk management consultancy. The vessel is being built specifically for East Coast sea conditions and will be classed by DNV-GL, a leading provider of risk management and quality assurance services, guaranteeing that the CTV will meet the highest of build standards needed in the offshore wind industry. The vessel will be used to transport personnel for construction, maintenance, and operation from port to projects off the New England coast.
“With over 95 years of experience in the maritime industry, we are committed to offering premier offshore wind support services to Rhode Island and look forward to contributing to the future of offshore wind growth,” said Craig Reinauer, President and CEO of the Reinauer Group. “Thanks to Ørsted, this partnership between two global leaders in the offshore wind industry will provide new, sustainable jobs for our local communities”.
Senesco Marine has been constructing state-of-the art vessels, including articulated tug and barge (ATB) units, escort tugs, deck barges and floating dry-docks for over 15 years, and its Quonset Point, Rhode Island facility employs hundreds of local, skilled employees. The facility offers 220,000 square feet of indoor fabrication space, with a fully segregated aluminum manufacturing area. Construction will commence in late 2020 in Senesco Marine’s North Kingstown shipyard.
Revolution Wind is a partnership between Ørsted and Eversource, New England’s premier transmission builder, and will be located approximately 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast. Subject to permitting, completing the power purchase agreements process and final investment decisions by Ørsted and Eversource, the project is expected to be commissioned in 2023. In Rhode Island, 400 MW of energy will power 270,000 homes, provide 800+ construction jobs, and provide $40 million in Rhode Island Port infrastructure improvements, ensuring a direct benefit to the local community.
About Ørsted
The Ørsted vision is a world that runs entirely on green energy. Ørsted develops, constructs and operates offshore and onshore wind farms, bioenergy plants and innovative waste-to-energy solutions and provides smart energy products to its customers. Headquartered in Denmark, Ørsted employs 6,080 people. Ørsted’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Orsted). In 2018, the group’s revenue was DKK 76.9 billion (EUR 10.7 billion). For more information on Ørsted, visit orsted.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.
About WindServe Marine, LLC
WindServe Marine is an offshore wind support services company, committed to providing excellence in all stages of the offshore wind farm lifecycle and supporting industry stakeholders in project commencement and construction, operations and maintenance, and logistics.
WindServe is a part of the Reinauer Group, a privately-held group of U.S. companies operating in a variety of marine business lines. For more information about WindServe and its affiliates, please visit windservemarine.com.