Van Oord's largest offshore installation vessel, the Boreas, has arrived in the Netherlands after a 14,700 nautical mile journey from China. Measuring 175 meters in length, the vessel is designed for the transport and installation of next-generation wind turbines and foundations, marking a significant advancement in offshore wind energy capabilities.
The Boreas, which is currently docked at TMA Logistics in the Port of Amsterdam, will undergo final outfitting and commissioning before it embarks on its first offshore wind project. It is equipped with advanced features such as a crane capable of lifting over 3,000 tonnes and a 155-meter-high boom. The vessel's four giant legs, each 126 meters tall, allow it to jack up and operate in waters as deep as 70 meters.
The vessel's arrival in the Netherlands is a key milestone for Van Oord, a Dutch marine contractor with a focus on renewable energy projects. “Welcoming the Boreas to the Netherlands is a significant milestone for us after four years of hard work and dedication,” said Maurits den Broeder, managing director for offshore energy at Van Oord. “We are excited to deploy this impressive vessel on our projects and to advance the transition towards renewable energy.”
In addition to its size and capabilities, the Boreas is the first offshore installation vessel to run on methanol, a fuel that is expected to reduce its carbon footprint by more than 78%. Van Oord has emphasized that this innovation supports the company's commitment to sustainability in offshore wind operations.
The Boreas is set to play a key role in installing offshore wind turbines of up to 20MW, a capacity that will be crucial for meeting global renewable energy targets. The vessel's arrival underscores the ongoing evolution of the offshore wind industry and highlights Van Oord's position at the forefront of this transition.
