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SPOTLIGHT ON HARWICH


AN OPERATOR’S PERSPECTIVE FROM WINDCAT WORKBOATS


As one of the two operational ports for the construction of the Great Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm, Harwich has been a base for Windcat Workboats since 2009.


GREATER GABBARD PROJECT Contracted to provide the majority of the crew transfer services for the Greater Gabbard project, the Windcat had up to ten vessels, including the Windcat 101, working from the port at the height of operations.


Despite the construction phase of the project now coming to a close, the company still has five vessels in Harwich.


ENGINEERING SUPPORT


In the offshore sector, engineering support is essential for maintaining the reliability of vessels for clients.


Harwich has the advantage of good access to Fox’s ship yard which is further along the River Orwell towards Ipswich. The close proximity of the yard means


that the company’s engineering team can make use of weather days for routine maintenance avoiding the need to disrupt clients’ work schedules.


ACCOMMODATION


Initially, finding accommodation for a large number of crew caused a logistical headache for the Harwich site manager who had as many as 35 staff to house and this complexity was further compounded by crew changes.


Despite the limited number of properties close to the dock available for rent, the people of Harwich were more than ready to lend a hand with helping to find suitable houses, recognising the on-shore business opportunity created by the development of offshore wind farms.


JOB CREATION


Local employment has been created through the need for the servicing and maintenance of rental properties.


Over the last few years, the Crown Estate has been focused on developing the supply chain for the manufacture of offshore wind turbine for R3, but there is already considerable scope in the market for the supply chain required to provide services to vessel operators such as Windcat Workboats.


THE FUTURE


With the development of London Array, Galloper and the East Anglian Offshore wind farms, the business opportunities in Harwich are likely to continue for many years to come.


Windcat Workboats www.windcatworkboats.com SERVICE ROUND-THE-CLOCK


ALLANTONE SUPPLIES FOCUSES ON KEEPING THE MARITIME TRAFFIC THAT BUSTLES AROUND THE UK WELL SUPPLIED WITH FUEL


Running a short-notice, niche operation, the company makes customer service its top priority.


SUPPLY OF GASOIL TO WIND FARM CONSTRUCTION VESSELS


Allantone is a short sea, coastal bunkering company that is based in Harwich Navyard. They operate 3 sea going bunker tankers (CULEX< MUSCA & SAURIA) that specialise in the supply of gasoil to Wind Farm construction vessels and crew transfer/stores vessels.


Having worked with Fluor supplying all of the gasoil requirements during the Greater Gabbard Wind Farm construction we know how important it is that we are there to service when required. We are available 24/7 and give flexibility where required to ensure the vessel is not delayed when in port.


DUMB TANKERS


In addition to their sea going fleet, which is predominantly dedicated to the construction side, they also operate two state of the art 365 cms capacity dumb tankers which specialise in the supply of small amounts of fuel to the wind support vessels. These vessels take as little at 10 litres and up to 5000 at a time. Their dumb tankers ( RANA & NAJA) are equipped with temperature compensating meters, can bunker four vessels at once and are both double hulled vessels.


24/7 OPERATION FLEXIBILITY


Each tanker carries 350 cms of capacity and can react with no notice to the requirements of their clients due to the fact that they are locally based and not weather dependent.


This service is also 24/7 by arrangement over the past two years have established itself in local life and has created a niche facility for Harwich Dock. No other port has this facility and it has been proven to be paramount in the running of the Greater Gabbard.


In addition to the bunkering facility Allantone can also offer fresh potable water by ship tanker in the Harwich port as well as at anchor by enquiry. The water tanker WATERMAN is the newest addition to the Allantone fleet and can offer up to 250 mts of water and discharge in one hour.


BESPOKE CLIENT REQUIREMENTS Finally, Allantone can also arrange lubricants in can, barrels, IBC or bulk to suit the client under various brands. On advice from the client they will stock any specific requirement.


Tony Lenton (Co Director commented “A lot of large corporations and large companies these days think of their customers in a different way: they just think of a job as revenue and they don’t provide a service. We still offer the personal touch. It’s a work ethic, not a ploy to get business: it’s just the way we do things.”


Allantone Supplies Ltd www.allantone.co.uk


e = See enhanced entry online www.windenergynetwork.co.uk 81


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