The offshore construction fleet for the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm has been bolstered by the arrival of the heavy-lift crane vessel Seaway Alfa Lift at the Port of Cromarty Firth in Invergordon. The arrival marks a critical phase for the 1.1GW project, as teams begin preparing the vessel for its upcoming deployment in the North Sea.

Operated by maritime contractor Seaway7, the 245-metre-long vessel is one of the most advanced of its kind. It will be responsible for the complex installation of 18 jacket foundations and 54 monopile foundation transition pieces. Designed specifically for the offshore wind market, the vessel's unique capabilities allow it to perform heavy-lift crane operations even when the main deck is submerged.

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The Seaway Alfa Lift is engineered to handle the next generation of "XXL" offshore wind foundations. Its technical specifications include:

• A main crane with a 3,000-tonne lifting capacity.

• Over 8,000 square metres of main deck space.

• A total cargo and equipment carrying capacity of up to 44,000 tonnes.

• Advanced dynamic positioning (DP2) and a motion-compensated "walk-to-work" gangway for safe personnel transfers.

The vessel is also equipped with a battery-hybrid power system and exhaust gas scrubbers, aligning with the project's sustainability goals by reducing operational fuel consumption and emissions.

Currently docked at Invergordon, the vessel is undergoing a full range of mobilisation activities. This process includes the installation of project-specific mission equipment and final testing to ensure the vessel is fully prepared for its scope of work.

Once mobilisation is complete, the Seaway Alfa Lift is scheduled to depart for the Inch Cape site—located approximately 15km off the Angus coast—in the spring. This foundation work is a vital precursor to the installation of the project's 72 wind turbines, which will eventually provide enough renewable energy to power approximately 1.1 million homes.