On 14 May 2024, Van Oord’s new offshore installation vessel, Boreas (flying the Dutch flag), was successfully launched at the Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore Ltd. shipyard in China. The Boreas, equipped with a dual fuel engine set capable of running on methanol, is designed for the transport and installation of the next generation of foundations and turbines at offshore wind farms.
Upon completion, the Boreas will be the largest vessel of its kind. Due to its size, the launch posed significant challenges. The vessel had to be moved from the construction site to the quay using the ‘skidding method,’ a safe and efficient load-out technique for transporting heavy and oversized objects horizontally along a linear track. After being skidded from the quay onto two pontoons, these pontoons were submerged in a controlled operation, allowing the Boreas to become afloat. Once safely moored alongside, work on the Boreas will continue with the installation of the main crane and the extension of the jack-up vessel’s legs. Meanwhile, the vessel’s technical installation will be further commissioned, followed by sea trials to test its performance. Subsequently, the Boreas will be handed over by the shipyard to Van Oord.
Future-proof
The Boreas is preparing Van Oord for the scale increase in the offshore wind industry. Measuring 175 meters in length, the vessel features a crane with a 155-meter-high boom, capable of lifting over 3,000 tonnes. Four giant legs, each measuring 126 meters, allow the vessel to be jacked up and operate in waters up to 70 meters deep, enabling the installation of the next generation of 20 MW offshore wind turbines.
Sustainable features
As an example of Van Oord's commitment to the energy transition, the Boreas is the first vessel of its kind to run on methanol, reducing the ship’s carbon footprint by more than 78 percent. Additionally, the vessel will be equipped with advanced emissions control technology (Selective Catalytic Reduction) to minimize NOx emissions. A battery pack of about 6,000 kWh will handle peak loads and regenerate energy, further reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Source: Van Oord