Our technology combines three main components. A modular pinned steel frame with the use of air lift bags and air compressor. By combining these into a deck structure, Tugdock can be used as additional buoyancy or as a submersible platform for lifting or launching heavy marine structures, including substructures for floating offshore wind.
The installation of airbags into road-transportable frames is an innovation that meets the needs of the global floating offshore wind industry, delivering significant flexibility and cost benefits.
Inflation and deflation of the airbags alters the buoyancy of the frames to submerge the deck and enable lifting and launching of vessels or floating structures, whilst outrigger pontoons, or spud jacking units, provide stability during the lift or launch.
The benefits of our technology
TRANSPORTABLE: Transportable as shipping containers for cost-effective global delivery.
QUICK: Quickly and easily assembled and commissioned.
STABLE: Stability during the lift and launch is provided with pontoons. The pontoons can provide a working area for the control system.
EASY SERVICE: Air lift bags are accessible from the main deck for easy service and maintenance.
MODULAR: Frames are connected together to provide a variety of deck sizes.
REUSABLE: The system can be re-used making it especially cost-effective for developers working on multiple projects
COMPLIANT: Designed to DNV/GL Rules for floating drydocks classification, compliant with stability codes for drydocks and structures: • DNV-OS-H101 • DNVGL-RU-FD
Can be used for loadout and launching
Tugdock Submersible Platforms provide a means for loadout and launching of floating substructures. The submersible platforms are used in combination for the loadout by positioning the platforms adjacent to the quayside to take the load of the floating substructures and then submerging the platform’s deck below the surface of the water to enable float off. Our technology enables the assembly, launch and recovery of floating substructures in ports with water depth, tidal variations, or space restrictions. The floating platform is then towed to deeper water for launching of the turbines.
Additional buoyancy, as required
Tugdock buoyancy modules provide a means of additional buoyancy for draft reduction and to provide stability for Wind Turbine Generator integration. The buoyancy modules can be considered as temporary works equipment that is fixed to the floaters in modules and used during berthing, integration, marshalling, and removed prior to tow-out. The product can be re-installed for wet storage or for in-port operations and maintenance activities.
Can be used for rapid pre-assembly
A singular large submersible platform can provide the means of a rapid unrestricted pre-assembly area at or away from the quayside. This could be anything up to a 100m x 100m build platform. This could be located close to the wind farm site locations anywhere with 5 metres of water.
Not limited to periods of high tide
At many conventional ports, the launch of floating sub-structures is limited to periods of high tide. This can cause delays, not only in serial production but also in turbine hook-up. The Tugdock system allows these floaters to be moved and launched at any time in as little as five metres of water, unhindered by tidal variations. This saves time and costs.
‘Just in time’ serial marshalling
Parts can be built anywhere, then shipped in. For example, 1,000 tonne pieces to ‘port near final location’ for rapid assembly on a Tugdock platform (with a crane). The ships could even moor alongside the platform and discharge directly onto the Tugdock platform deck. The Tugdock platform could be miles away from any port, as an independent temporary floating port that is used to overcome the constraints of existing ports.
