BigLift Barentsz transports Hornsea 3 topside
After two years of meticulous planning and preparation, BigLift Shipping has successfully completed the transport of the first of Ørsted’s two Offshore Converter Station (OCS) topsides for the Hornsea 3 project, on behalf of its valued client Aibel. This marks a significant milestone in one of the world’s largest offshore wind developments.
The journey began in March 2022, when Aibel – contracted by Ørsted – initiated the transport proposal to BigLift Shipping. Following a year of detailed coordination, the contract was finalised in February 2023. The OCS, a vital component in offshore wind power infrastructure, is designed to convert high-voltage alternating current (AC) into high-voltage direct current (DC), enabling efficient transmission of electricity to shore. Standing an impressive 70 metres above sea level once installed, the topside was loaded at Map Ta Phut, Thailand, following its arrival on 19 March 2025. Preparations in port, including grillage installation, took one week. Due to the sheer scale of the structure, 380 axle lines of Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs), comprising a total of 1,520 tyres, were required to manoeuvre it onto the vessel.
The load-out weight reached a staggering 9,563 metric tonnes, with 13,400 cubic metres of ballast water pumped to maintain vessel stability alongside the quay. The entire loading process, including ramp crossing, was completed in just over two hours. Loading and seafastening operations took a full week, resulting in a total port stay of two weeks.
In April 2025, the BigLift Barentsz set sail for Haugesund, Norway, navigating the long route around the Cape of Good Hope. The vessel arrived safely on 31 May 2025. Discharge operations mirrored the loading process and were executed with the same precision and care.
This successful transport highlights BigLift Shipping’s expertise in managing complex, heavy-lift projects and reinforces its position as a trusted partner to Aibel and other key players in the global energy transition.