Image: © CDWE
Green Jade is a pivotal asset in CDWE’s fleet. Maximising the vessel’s uptime, reliability and operational efficiency is a top priority for CDWE – they partnered with Wärtsilä to leverage the company’s technical expertise and support.
The 216 metres long Green Jade is among the world’s largest floating installation vessels dedicated to offshore wind farms. The vessel is used by CDWE and its clients to transport and install the next generation of wind farm foundations and structures. Green Jade is equipped with a 4,000-tonne main crane, DP3 dynamic positioning capability and advanced waste heat recovery system.
Green Jade entered service in 2023. Its owner CDWE chose a Lifecycle Agreement with Wärtsilä because they want to maximise the vessel’s uptime, enhance its operational efficiency and achieve carbon-neutral operations.
Green Jade is a crucial asset for CDWE and high availability is a top priority. This is why CDWE selected Wärtsilä engines and thrusters – and why the company relies on Wärtsilä’s expert support to ensure the system remains in top condition.
In addition to scheduled maintenance and 24/7 operational support, the Lifecycle Agreement with Wärtsilä also includes the advanced Expert Insight predictive maintenance service and the Propulsion Condition Monitoring Service (PCMS). Both of these services identify potential problems, allowing proactive intervention and reducing the risk of unplanned downtime.
For example, PCMS has really proven its worth for CDWE. The service detected an irregularity in one of the electric motors that power Green Jade’s thrusters, corresponding to the ball pass frequency on the outer ring of the drive-end bearing. An inspection of the bearing revealed damage to the inner and outer raceways caused by excessive current erosion through the bearing due to insufficient grounding. Wärtsilä recommended that the bearing should be replaced as soon as possible to avoid failure.
Accurate vessel positioning is crucial for the efficient installation of wind turbines, but it can be challenging because of strong currents, high waves and unpredictable weather.
To tackle this challenge, Green Jade uses Wärtsilä’s Dynamic Positioning (DP) Control System. This ensures that the vessel can maintain a precise position while safely operating its heavy-lift crane – even in harsh weather conditions.
While most modern offshore vessels use DP, Green Jade meets the highest equipment class, DP3. This means that if part of the vessel’s engine room is impacted and out of operation, the vessel can maintain its position and continue working while the crew can remain onboard to tackle the issue.
To keep the DP and crane running, Green Jade uses eight Wärtsilä thrusters. The thrusters have a combined total output of about 42,000 horsepower, which is equivalent to around 400 average-sized family cars.
CDWE benefits from an outcome-based service agreement with Wärtsilä, and the agreement guarantees a defined quantifiable outcome.
The agreement includes a guarantee for extended time between overhauls (TBO) for the Green Jade’s Wärtsilä 46FDF engines and Wärtsilä WST55, WST45R and WTT36 thrusters. This extended TBO is made possible by Wärtsilä’s Data-driven Maintenance Planning service. The actual data from the vessel’s engines and thrusters are analysed and combined with insights from inspections to determine when the engines and thrusters need maintenance.
The agreement also includes a guarantee for the overhaul duration for the equipment covered in the annual plan and an engine reliability guarantee.
“Green Jade’s special flag administration and classification society exemption permits drydocking intervals of 7.5 years. This length of TBO is only possible because we have the data available, the experts and AI tools to analyse data and give proactive advice and a close relationship with the customer.
Many governments in Asia have set ambitious renewable energy targets aimed at maximising the share of electricity they produce through offshore wind energy by 2050.
Green Jade is ready to contribute to these targets. The vessel’s unique combination of vast transport and load capacity, impressive lifting capacity and advanced technology make it possible to transport multiple wind turbine jackets and foundation components in a single shipment. This reduces the environmental impact and improves the cost effectiveness of wind-farm construction and operation.
Green Jade’s highly efficient Wärtsilä 46FDF and 20DF dual-fuel engines deliver the best fuel economy of any engine in their respective classes. The service agreement with Wärtsilä also covers innovations such as the vessel’s selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system for emissions abatement.
Green Jade features the following Wärtsilä equipment and solutions:
Green Jade is supported by a Wärtsilä Lifecycle Agreement, including comprehensive scheduled maintenance, all major overhauls of the ship’s Wärtsilä engines and thrusters, along with genuine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) spare parts.
The agreement also includes Wärtsilä’s Data-driven Maintenance Planning service, Expert Insight predictive maintenance service, Propulsion Condition Monitoring Service (PCMS) and 24/7 operational support for the equipment covered.
Could your maritime business benefit from a service agreement with Wärtsilä? Take the easiest (and free) first step with a non-binding consultation to discuss your options. Your questions will be answered by Wärtsilä experts, who will show you how you could achieve your goals with Wärtsilä as your partner.