Van Oord's latest offshore installation vessel, Boreas, has achieved a significant milestone with its successful launch at the Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore shipyard in China.
With a dual fuel engine capable of running on methanol, Boreas is tailor-made for transporting and installing the next generation of foundations and turbines at offshore wind farms. Van Oord anticipates commercial availability of the vessel in 2025, solidifying its position as the largest of its kind upon completion.
Launching Boreas posed unique challenges owing to its size, requiring meticulous planning and execution. Van Oord elaborated on the process, stating, “First, it had to be moved from the construction site to the quay, using the so-called ‘skidding method', involving the horizontal transport of heavy and oversized objects along a linear track.”
Following this, the vessel was skillfully skidded from the quay onto two pontoons, which were then submerged in a controlled operation, allowing Boreas to become afloat. Subsequent works will focus on installing the main crane and extending the jack-up legs to prepare the vessel for operation.
Johan de Graaf, Project Manager Shipbuilding at Van Oord, expressed satisfaction with the progress, stating, “The launch of 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.”
Boreas boasts impressive dimensions, measuring 175 meters in length and featuring a crane with a towering 155-meter-high boom capable of lifting over 3000 tonnes. Equipped with four colossal legs, each measuring 126 meters, the vessel can operate in waters up to 70 meters deep, facilitating the installation of next-generation 20MW offshore turbines.
In line with Van Oord's commitment to sustainability, Boreas represents a significant advancement in clean energy technology. It is the first vessel of its kind to run on methanol, reducing its carbon footprint by more than 78%. Additionally, it will feature state-of-the-art emissions control technology to minimize NOx emissions and a battery pack to further reduce fuel consumption and emissions.
As Boreas enters the final stages of construction, Van Oord remains dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that drive the expansion of offshore wind energy while mitigating environmental impact.
