Van Oord has officially launched its new offshore wind installation vessel, Boreas, in Rotterdam, marking the company’s largest investment to date and a significant step toward net-zero operations.
The 175-metre vessel, christened by Rotterdam Mayor Carola Schouten on June 18, is the largest and most sustainable of its kind globally. Powered by dual-fuel methanol engines, Boreas is designed to reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 78%. It features a 3,000-tonne crane, battery pack, and advanced nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction systems.
Govert van Oord, chief executive of Van Oord, said the vessel represented a major milestone for the company. “The Boreas is the largest investment in our company’s history, a testament to our ambition to remain a frontrunner in offshore wind, accelerate the energy transition and perform our work responsibly,” he said.
Following the ceremony, Boreas is set to undertake its first assignment at the 1.6 gigawatt (GW) Nordseecluster project in the German North Sea, a joint venture between RWE and Norges Bank Investment Management. Van Oord will be responsible for installing 104 extended monopiles and scour protection.
In addition, Van Oord announced it has become the first company in its sector to receive approval from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its 1.5°C-aligned climate strategy. This endorsement confirms that the company’s emissions targets are in line with the Paris Agreement’s most ambitious climate goals.
Van Oord submitted its fleet-related emissions targets in May 2023 and secured formal approval on June 1, 2025, using SBTi’s maritime guidance.
“This approval reflects both our commitment to decarbonise our operations and our desire to increase system-wide collaboration,” van Oord said. “We recognise we cannot do this alone. Reaching net-zero requires close cooperation across our entire value chain.”
The Boreas is capable of installing offshore wind turbines exceeding 20 megawatts (MW) in capacity and over 300 metres in height, positioning Van Oord to address future offshore wind industry demands.
Royal Van Oord operates in over 40 countries, employs more than 6,000 people, and maintains a fleet of 60 vessels and extensive specialist equipment.
