The shipping company Cadeler has taken delivery of the “Wind Ally”, the next offshore heavy-lift newbuild, thus expanding its fleet to nine vessels. From now on, the shipping company wants to take a new path.
The installation vessel is to commence its first order immediately after its scheduled commissioning and install foundations for Ørsted’s “Hornsea 3” offshore wind farm in the North Sea. For the first time, Cadeler will be responsible for the entire scope of transportation and installation (T&I) for monopile foundations – with this strategic step, the Danes want to position themselves as a full-service provider on the foundation market.
Formerly part of the Swire Group, the shipping company – which has been based in Denmark since its IPO and has been growing for years with an extensive newbuild program and not least due to the merger with Eneti – is also very well known in local wind farm projects with its large installation and service vessels.
CEO Mikkel Gleerup emphasized: “With the early delivery of the “Wind Ally” and its immediate deployment in this pioneering project, we are opening a new chapter for Cadeler. Over the past year, we have built up the necessary capacity to take over the entire foundation area. Setting up a completely new department with specialized professionals and investing in the construction of vessels specifically designed for XXL monopiles has been a huge effort for the entire company.” “Hornsea 3” will be the first project where all these preparations come together.
The new ship was built for two years at the Cosco shipyard in Qidong, China. According to the shipping company, it was delivered “ahead of schedule, within budget and with an excellent safety record during construction with more than 3.5 million safe working hours.” The design is the result of close collaboration between Cadeler and its key partners, including Cosco, GustoMSC, NOV, Kongsberg, Huisman and MAN Energy.
The design of the so-called A-Class is tailored to the increasing size and complexity of offshore wind turbines and foundations. With a deck area of 5,600 m², a payload of over 18,000 t and a main crane that can lift over 3,300 t at a height of 39 m, the Wind Ally can transport and install up to six sets of XXL monopile foundations per load. “This efficiency reduces the number and overall duration of transports, accelerates efficiency during installation and increases the safety and sustainability of all projects,” reads a statement. The vessel can accommodate up to 130 crew members and installation technicians. The hybrid design of the A-class vessels is intended to enable a quick changeover between the installation of foundations and the installation of wind turbines. Cadeler ordered the vessels last year. They are similar to the P-class vessels, but have greater capacity to transport larger and heavier generations of wind turbine foundations.
The “Wind Ally” is the first of three new A-class vessels ordered by Cadeler. The delivery of her sister vessel “Wind Ace” is scheduled for the second half of 2026, followed by “Wind Apex” in 2027. Cadeler says it is “right on track” with its fleet expansion strategy and aims to operate a fleet of 12 vessels by mid-2027.
