Cadeler has placed an order to build its third A-class wind farm installation vessel, making it the 11th vessel in the company’s overall fleet.
The company has entered into a binding contract for the manufacture and delivery of the hybrid design vessel, Wind Apex, able to convert from being a foundation installation unit to a wind turbine generator installation vessel.
Cadeler already has two P-class, two M-class and two A-class vessels under construction. This third A-class vessel, set to be delivered in 2027, will be built by COSCO Heavy Industries.
“Cadeler owns the largest jack-up fleet in the industry and is well positioned to provide our partners with access to an even wider and more flexible fleet of next-generation offshore wind farm installation vessels,” says Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler.
“The decision to build a third A-class vessel is based on the strong market demand for assets specializing in installing foundations. We have already signed firm contracts and entered a long-term agreement with Orsted for our first A-class vessel from 2027 to 2030 and we are in advanced contract negotiations to secure capacity from our second A-class. These commitments are only possible because our partners believe in our capabilities to meet their demands for increased flexibility and state-of-the-art vessels that are fit to meet the requirements of a fast-growing and dynamic market.”
The vessel is set to be built on similar specifications to the company’s first two A-class vessels, with a deck space of 5,600 sq. meters and a 17,000 ton payload. The ships are expected to be able to transport and install seven complete 15 MW turbine sets per load or six sets of 2XL monopile foundations,
The P- and A-class vessels are built in cooperation with Cadeler’s strategic partners, which include GustoMSC NOV, Kongsberg, Huismann and MAN Energy.
