Dutch family-owned marine contractor Van Oord announce that its new offshore installation vessel “Boreas” was successfully launched at the Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Ltd. shipyard in China.

 The “Boreas” has dual fuel engine which can run on methanol and is purpose-built for the transport and installation of the next generation foundations and turbines at offshore wind farms with commercial availability expected in 2025. 

Upon her completion the” Boreas” will be the largest vessel of its kind, as the company informs and because of its size, the launch was a challenging job.

First, it had to be moved from the construction site to the quay, using the so-called ‘skidding method’. Skidding is a safe and efficient load-out method for the horizontal transport of heavy and oversized objects along a linear track.

The vessel was then skidded from the quay onto two pontoons. These pontoons were later submerged in a controlled operation after which the “Boreas” became afloat.

After safely moored alongside, the works on the “Boreas” will continue with the installation of the main crane and the extension of the legs of the jack-up vessel.

Meanwhile the vessel’s technical installation will be further commissioned, after which sea trails will take place to test performance. Subsequently, the “Boreas” will be handed over by the shipyard to Van Oord.

The vessel measures 175 metres in length and has a crane with a 155-metre-high boom, able to lift over 3,000 tonnes.

Four giant legs, each measuring 126 metres, allow the vessel to be jacked up and work in waters up to 70 metres deep so it will therefore be able to install the next generation of 20 MW offshore wind turbines at sea.

“The launch of the Boreas is a major milestone for Van Oord. A big thanks to the project teams and all subcontractors and suppliers who worked with great commitment and dedication towards this crucial stage of the construction process. With the Boreas now afloat, we’re entering the final stages of the newbuilding, and we are excited to continue our journey towards successful delivery,” says Johan de Graaf, project manager shipbuilding at Van Oord.

Source: Van Oord