Cadeler Secures Work of O-Class Offshore Wind Turbine Installation Vessels
Offshore wind turbine installation company Cadeler A/S said Thursday it had won an important contract with wind turbine maker Vestas, and entered a reservation agreement with an undisclosed client.
"The agreements ensure optimal utilization of the Cadeler fleet before and after the crane upgrades in 2024. Offshore wind activity continues to strengthen, and the year has started well for Cadeler thanks to a new contract with Vestas," Cadeler said.
Cadeler said that the contract strengthened its order backlog and ensured optimal utilization of the O-class vessels - Wind Orca and Wind Osprey - up until the planned vessel upgrades starting in the fourth quarter of 2023.
The new cranes will provide the two O-class vessels with a lifting capacity of 1,600 metric tons at a radius of 40 meters, with the main hook at a height of 160 meters above the main deck. This is a substantial upgrade of the current vessel capacity and is scheduled for completion in 2024, Cadeler said.
Also, Cadeler said it had secured yet another preferred supplier agreement with an undisclosed client.
The contract covers the transport and installation of next-generation wind turbines (WTGs), with a tentative contract value above 45 million euros ~(~$50,3 million).
The installation project is set for execution by one of Cadeler’s O-class vessels, which will by then be sporting a new and larger main crane.
Cadeler’s two O-class installation vessels were active throughout 2021, and Cadeler said, looking ahead, both vessels will continue to be busy installing WTGs in the European waters.
Wind Orca is soon scheduled to embark on the Seagreen Offshore wind farm project off the coast of Scotland to replace Wind Osprey, which in turn will start working on the Hollandse Kust Zuid project in the Netherlands.
After Seagreen work is finalized, Wind Orca will continue working on the new contract with Vestas.
The assignment will be finalized in time for both O-class installation vessels to have their main cranes exchanged for new and significantly upgraded versions in 2024.
Mikkel Gleerup CEO says: “The contract with Vestas adds yet another important project to our strong order backlog and further highlights our close relationship with clients in the industry. The contract further ensures strong utilization of our assets prior to the new cranes being installed. The fact that we also add another undisclosed preferred supplier agreement to the backlog of the O-class vessels, is a great achievement.
"These two agreements serve as proof of concept for our strategic approach to asset upgrades and is demonstrating the superior competitiveness of the O-class vessels."
