Thumbs Up for Safety - Global Port Services successfully complete pre-assembly activities for Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm

Beatrice, once fully operational, will be Scotland’s largest offshore wind farm capable of powering 450,000 homes; comprising 84 x 7MW offshore wind turbines with a total capacity of 588MW.

The contract for Onshore Crane and Logistics Operations, awarded to Global Port Services (Scotland) Limited [GPSS] by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) was for the provision of Heavy Lift Crawler Cranes under Contract Lift, SPMT’s and associated lifting personnel for all loading/offloading, storage and marshalling of wind tower components on the pre-assembly site at the Port of Nigg. With over 48,000 man hours expended with Zero LTI’s, the Project Delivery Team continue to demonstrate a positive safety culture in supporting our clients operations. Scopes also included CPA Crane Hire and specialist labour to support offshore operations with mobilising the installation vessel; the Pacific Orca, whilst berthed alongside at Nigg.

Colin Brown, Senior Project Manager – Offshore Wind for Siemens Gamesa commented” “SGRE worked with GPSS for around 18 months on the Beatrice Offshore Windfarm project. During this time both parties worked extremely well together, building up a strong relationship to the benefit of both parties. Through the scope of works that GPSS supplied within the onshore marshalling Port of Nigg, it enabled SGRE to successfully build the project utilising GPSS’s heavy lift crawler cranes and SPMT’s to manoeuvre our wind turbine components around, whilst also using GPSS’s associated labour for all loading/offloading and storage of these components. Throughout the course of our works on site, GPSS worked with us to achieve the best solutions for the project, utilising the skilled teams employed by them to deliver when required. These works were carried out not only to a high standard but also safely, managing to reach the end of the project with zero LTI’s with over 48,000 man hours worked. Myself and my wider team would happily work with GPSS again on any future projects.”

Global Port Services were also awarded the Port Services & Facilities Management Contract for all pre-assembly support services to SGRE, which included quayside logistics, supply of plant and equipment, refuelling services, procurement and labour supply over the 18 month period.

Another key component of the project was the Port Agency Services Contract, awarded to Global Port Services’ Shipping Division, enabling support for all vessel movements related to Pre-Assembly activities for the Beatrice Offshore Wind Farm. GPSS Shipping handled over 80 port calls for incoming components and equipment, all Crew Transfer Vessels (CTV’s) and Supply Vessel port calls at Nigg as well as the installation vessel support for SGRE and direct with Swire Blue Ocean.

As the leading marine and logistics provider in the region, Global Port Services has a strong track record in delivering difficult and high quality projects in fast track environments. We do this each year in the renewable, oil & gas, industrial and construction sectors, crediting repeat business on our ability to reduce customer’s risk through delivering a quality service, safely and on budget. As a contracting partner to the energy sector, we have built a sustainable organisation that is geared to reduce the risks listed above, whilst maintaining a high degree of flexibility for the customer and look forward to working with Siemens Gamesa in the near future.