The journey of the Boskalis trailing suction hopper dredger, known as the Gateway, has taken it from the port of Melbourne in Australia to the North Sea, spanning a distance of approximately 10,000 nautical miles. Currently, the Gateway is engaged in pre-sweep dredging activities along the Dutch coast, specifically on the two 60-kilometer-long cable corridors designated for the installation of export power cables for the TenneT project Hollandse Kust (west Beta) offshore wind development.
This task follows the efforts of Boskalis’ backhoe dredger Magnor, which was involved in the TenneT project the previous year. The Magnor, recognized as the largest and most powerful backhoe dredger globally, played a crucial role in removing obstacles along the cable corridors, preparing the way for further construction activities.
Now, with the Gateway joining the operation, Boskalis’ dredging vessels are actively preparing the seabed for the installation of export cables by cable-laying vessels Ndurance and Giant 7, along with the cable burial vessel Ndeavor. These cables will serve to connect the TenneT platform to the onshore grid in the Netherlands, facilitating the transmission of offshore wind energy to the mainland.
Moreover, as part of its scope of work, Boskalis will also undertake the installation of a 9-kilometer-long 66kV interconnector cable between the TenneT projects Hollandse Kust (west Alpha) and Hollandse Kust (west Beta) offshore platforms.
In essence, Boskalis’ dredging operations are crucial in paving the way for the development of offshore wind infrastructure, contributing to the expansion of renewable energy sources and the transition towards a more sustainable energy future.