SOUTHAMPTON HANDLES RECORD SHIPMENT OF WIND-TURBINE BLADES
The largest shipment of wind-turbine blades ever exported from the UK left Associated British Ports’ (ABP) Port of Southampton yesterday (Thursday, 1 July) aboard m.v. Atlas Gracht, the longest vessel to be operated by Vestas Wind Systems (formerly NEG Micon Rotors Ltd).
A total of 60 sleek 35-metre long aerodynamic wind-turbine blades were loaded onto m.v. Atlas Gracht and stacked in a unique formation of three blades high.The blades are destined for Napier Port in New Zealand and, once constructed, the wind turbines will be capable of producing over 30 megawatts of energy – or enough energy to power around 30,000 homes.
The blades and components are manufactured by Vestas Wind Systems, one of the world’s largest producers of wind turbines, at its dedicated UK manufacturing plant on the Isle of Wight.Loaded onto state-of-the-art barges, the blades are then transported up Southampton Water to a dedicated facility in the port’s Eastern Docks where they are assembled into various shipments, for onward transportation by sea, to ports and sites around the world.
Commenting on this record shipment, Ray Facey, Sales & Marketing Manager, ABP Southampton, said:
“Vestas Wind Systems is a well respected and established customer of ABP Southampton and we are pleased to have played our part in handling not only this record shipment, but also the onward storage and transportation of the blades for the development of wind farms around the world.”
Mike Rose, Marine Transfer Manager, Vestas Wind Systems, added:
“This landmark shipment marks a significant milestone for Vestas Wind Systems.It is thanks to the good business relationship between Vestas Wind Systems and ABP that we have been able to develop our business and grow the volume of blades we export all over the world.”
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