GPO Heavylift successfully transported a 13,000-tonne HVDC Offshore Converter Platform (OCP) fabricated at Seatrium's PT SMOE yard in Batam, Indonesia, for RWE Offshore Wind GmbH's 1.4 GW Sofia Offshore Wind Farm. The heavy-lift operation was performed by the semi-submersible vessel GPO Sapphire, ensuring safe delivery to the offshore installation site where Heerema Marine Contractors' Sleipnir completed the lift.
Cargo: 13,000t HVDC Offshore Converter Platform topside
Client: RWE Offshore Wind GmbH / GE Vernova
Vessel: GPO Sapphire
Origin: PT SMOE Yard (Seatrium), Batam, Indonesia
Destination: Sofia Offshore Wind Farm installation site
Project Period: May 2024
The OCP represents a critical component for the Sofia wind farm, serving as the central hub for high-voltage direct current transmission from the offshore turbines to the UK grid. Fabricated at Seatrium's Batam facility (formerly PT SMOE), the massive structure required specialized heavy-lift transportation to reach its North Sea destination,
GPO Sapphire's semi-submersible capabilities enabled the secure loading and stable transit of this oversized cargo, navigating through regional waters to position it precisely for the subsequent installation lift by Heerema's Sleipnir.
This transportation project highlights GPO Heavylift's expertise in supporting the growing offshore wind sector with reliable delivery of large-scale, mission-critical components. The successful operation contributes to keeping the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm on track for full operations in 2026.
For more information on GPO Heavylift's offshore wind transportation services, visit gpo-heavylift.com.