Van Oord's newest cable-laying vessel, Calypso, has officially commenced operations by installing cables on its first offshore wind project, the 1.4GW Sofia offshore wind farm in the UK. This marks a key milestone for the vessel, custom-built with advanced sustainable technologies, designed to enhance Van Oord's offshore wind capabilities.
As Van Oord's second cable-laying vessel after the Nexus, Calypso is equipped to install inter-array grid and export cables for wind projects globally, including high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables. Its innovative design includes two carousels with a total line-carrying capacity of 8000 tonnes, allowing the simultaneous laying of two HVDC cables. The vessel is also integrated with modern trenching technology to support cable installations.
In line with Van Oord's sustainability goals, the Calypso incorporates several environmentally friendly features. It runs on biofuel, has a hybrid engine capable of adapting to future e-fuels, and includes a large battery pack, an energy management system, and shore power supply connections.
The Calypso's deployment on the Sofia wind farm demonstrates Van Oord's commitment to expanding its presence in the offshore wind sector while investing in greener technology for future projects.
