Cadeler has announced the delivery of its latest jack-up wind turbine installation vessel, Wind Pace, marking a key milestone in the company's ongoing fleet expansion. The vessel was delivered on time and within budget, becoming the seventh ship in Cadeler's growing portfolio of wind turbine installation vessels.
Wind Pace was officially named during a ceremony held on March 12 at the COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry shipyard in Qidong, China, where the vessel was built. Following its delivery, Wind Pace is set to be deployed in the United States under a contract that spans from Q2 2025 to Q1 2026, supporting an offshore wind farm project in the region. This will be Cadeler's second project in U.S. waters.
The new vessel joins Wind Peak, Cadeler's first P-class newbuild, which was delivered in August 2024. Wind Peak has since begun its first installation project at the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, located off the Yorkshire coast of the United Kingdom. The Sofia wind farm is one of the largest single offshore wind farms in the world.
Wind Pace, like its sister vessel, has been designed to meet the demands of next-generation wind farm projects, which are growing in size, complexity, and offshore conditions. The P-class vessels are capable of transporting and installing up to seven 15MW turbine sets per load or five 20+ MW turbines, thus reducing the number of trips required and significantly accelerating installation times. This innovation enhances energy efficiency and lowers costs.
Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler, commented on the new vessel's impact, saying, “The P-class vessels set a new benchmark in offshore wind installation technology. With advanced crane capabilities, enhanced transit effectiveness, and reduced energy intensity, these vessels unlock new levels of efficiency for our customers. Wind Peak, the first P-class vessel, has already fully demonstrated this since her delivery last year. Likewise, we expect Wind Pace to play a key role in supporting our clients in the necessary expansion of offshore wind.”
Both Wind Peak and Wind Pace are the largest vessels in Cadeler's fleet, boasting a deck space of 5,600 m², a payload capacity of over 17,600 tonnes, and a main crane capable of lifting up to 2,600 tonnes at 47 meters. Additionally, each vessel can accommodate up to 130 crew members and installation technicians.
Gleerup further noted, “Cadeler has always looked for new ways to provide better solutions for our customers whilst remaining conscious of the increasing need for sustainability in our industry. The P-class vessels exemplify this commitment with a design prepared for future dual-fuel green-methanol operations and an electrical system that captures and stores excess energy for re-use.”
The development of the P-class vessels is the result of close collaboration between Cadeler and its key partners, including COSCO, GustoMSC, NOV, Kongsberg, Huisman, and MAN Energy.
