BW Group-backed Cadeler has signed a firm long-term lease agreement for a newbuild wind farm installation vessel.
The agreement reveals Orsted as the client in Cadeler’s first announcement made in October 2022 and ties up the A-Class newbuild from the beginning of 2027 to the end of 2030.
It will transport and install XXL monopile foundations and 20 MW-plus turbine.
“We are proud and pleased to strengthen the cooperation once again with Orsted,” Cadeler chief executive Mikkel Gleerup said.
“We have ambitiously invested and poured our unique know-how into our newbuild WTIVs 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.
“Our ambition is to help our partners install and realise the offshore wind farms needed for the world’s energy transition.”
Orsted and Cadeler’s collaboration builds on existing synergies and work from the Hornsea 3 wind farm off eastern England.
“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 programme towards 2030 and beyond,” said Patrick Harnett, chief operating officer at Orsted.
The A-Class newbuilds are designed to transport up to six XXL monopile foundations per round trip.
They can also be swiftly converted from foundation installation to turbine installation.
Cadeler said in 2022 that the vessel would cost $345m from Cosco Heavy Industries in China for delivery in the final three months of 2025.
Its first task is to work on foundations for Hornsea 3, beginning in 2026.
