Royal Boskalis B.V. (Boskalis), a global dredging and offshore contractor and maritime services provider, has added to its fleet portfolio a new 45,500 metric tons subsea rock installation (SRI) vessel.
The vessel, named Windpiper, will be the largest SRI vessel in the industry, and bolster the company’s position in this specialized niche market, which currently includes three existing SRI vessels, according to Boskalis.
The Windpiper, scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2026, is set to play an important role in facilitating the energy transition working on offshore wind projects, whilst the ship’s first projects are expected to be located in Northwest Europe.
“The vessel’s substantial capacity, divided over two holds, makes it well-suited for projects with a long transit distance between the rock loading facilities and the project site, such as those along the North American East Coast, the Baltic Sea and the Southern North Sea,” the company’s statement reads.
The SRI vessel is being developed by converting an existing new vessel under the expert supervision of Boskalis.
With dimensions of 227 meters in length and 40 meters in breadth, the vessel equipped with seven thrusters and DP2 certification, boasts a total installed power exceeding 31,000 kW, with over hundred single-occupancy cabins.
In addition to its moonpool for the fall pipe installation, the vessel will feature an inclined fall pipe, Boskalis said which is “crucial for the protection of offshore structures such as the foundations of offshore wind turbines.”
