Danish offshore wind services firm Cadeler has signed a €210 million contract with turbine manufacturer Vestas to deploy its newly acquired jack-up vessel, Wind Keeper, for a range of offshore wind operations starting in 2026, the companies said on Thursday.
The three-year agreement includes options for a further two-and-a-half years, potentially bringing the total contract value to over €380 million.
The Wind Keeper, Cadeler’s eighth vessel, will support both operations and maintenance (O&M) and transport and installation (T&I) activities across Vestas’ offshore wind portfolio. The vessel departed China earlier this month en route to Europe, where it will undergo upgrades before commencing work.
“This first contract for Wind Keeper is exactly why we made the strategic decision to acquire her,” said Mikkel Gleerup, Cadeler CEO. “We see increasing demand in Europe for flexible, high-performance vessels that can support both O&M and installation scopes, and she fits that profile perfectly.”
The vessel, formerly known as Bo Qiang 3060, was acquired from Shanghai Boqiang Heavy Industry Group Co. and renamed Wind Keeper. Built in 2024, the vessel features advanced European systems, including a 2,200-tonne Huisman main crane, Kongsberg DP2 dynamic positioning, MAN engines, and Siemens propulsion.
Once upgrades are complete, Wind Keeper will be fitted to transport and install Vestas’ V236-15.0MW turbines, with capacity for three turbine sets. The vessel’s 120-metre jack-up legs are designed to enable operations in deep and harsh offshore environments.
Cadeler said the name Wind Keeper reflects the vessel’s role in supporting the continuity and resilience of offshore wind energy production.
“We’re proud to see our vision come to life and grateful to Vestas for the trust they’ve placed in us,” Gleerup added.
The contract highlights continued demand for advanced offshore wind vessels in Europe, particularly as turbine sizes increase and wind developers seek multi-purpose support for their projects.
