At the end of last year, Harlyn successfully completed the storage and transportation of two spare inter array cables (IAC) and associated accessories for the Moray West offshore wind farm.
This critical project, commissioned by Moray Offshore Windfarm (West), involved two key elements: transportation and storage. The operation involved moving two high-voltage cables, weighing a total of 364 tonnes, from Hartlepool to Blyth. The cables were spooled into bespoke baskets before being shipped via ro-ro transport.
On arrival at the port of Blyth, the baskets were transferred to a designated storage area, where protective covers were installed to ensure cable integrity. Regular inspections will be conducted to maintain their condition over time.
The company said that one of the most complex aspects of the project was designing and fabricating the cable baskets. These were engineered specifically to accommodate the weight and dimensions of the cables while ensuring they met sea transportation standards. Harlyn worked closely with the client, refining multiple design iterations before final approval by both the client and an independent third party.
The transportation and spooling process involved comprehensive planning, including method statements for spooling operations, basket securing on the ro-ro vessel, and obtaining necessary port and marine approvals. Harlyn utilised specialised equipment including a bow cable engine (BCE) for loading and transpooling, and SPMTs for basket rotation.
Safety was an utmost consideration throughout the project. It said that its digital safety culture reporting tool, accessible via QR codes at various site locations, ensured real-time hazard reporting and best practice sharing.
