Orsted ties down giant new Cadeler offshore wind vessel under long-term deal
Cadeler has enjoyed a spate of new orders since completing its merger with former rival Eneti
Offshore wind developer Orsted has awarded a long-term contract for one of the advanced wind farm installation vessels that shipowner Cadeler currently has under construction.
Under the terms of the contract, Orsted has secured installation vessel capacity for upcoming construction projects from the first quarter of 2027 to the end of 2030, according to a Cadeler statement.
The contract refers to a new-built A-Class vessel featuring a hybrid design that allows transport and install both foundations and turbines.
The signing of the long-term agreement identifies Orsted as the subject of an earlier Cadeler announcement that referred to the signing of a memorandum of understanding in October 2022.
Cadeler said the newly signed contract will build on existing synergies from the Hornsea 3 wind farm project, where Cadeler is providing foundation installation services.
“Securing long-term capacity with strategic suppliers is key for Orsted to build collaboration and together manage risks and execution of our offshore wind construction program towards 2030 and beyond,” Patrick Harnett, the developer’s COO commented.
“Our partnership with Cadeler exemplifies how Orsted as the market leader with a global portfolio of offshore wind projects can provide suppliers with the clarity and scale they need to invest in new technology, organisational capabilities and increase – in this case – the supply of installation vessels which can carry and install current and next generations of foundations and offshore wind turbines.”
Cadeler says its A-Class vessels are designed to transport up to six XXL monopile foundations per round trip and they can be rapidly converted from transport and installation vessels for foundations to T&I vessels to carrying wind turbines.
The Oslo and New York-listed vessel owner says that A-Class can also transport and install seven complete15MW turbine sets or five 20MW+ turbines per load.
“This efficiency reduces the number of trips required for each project, ultimately accelerating the installation speed,” the company stated.
Cadeler CEO Mikkel Gleerup added: “We have ambitiously invested and poured our unique know-how into our new-build wind turbine installation vessels to create security in our part of the value chain. And we’re ready to handle the largest and most complex next-generation offshore wind installation projects.”