Van Oord’s brand-new offshore wind installation vessel Boreas has successfully completed its first assignment: the installation of 45 monopiles at Nordseecluster A, the first phase of the 1.6 GW offshore wind farm in the German North Sea. The Boreas is the largest and most sustainable vessel of its kind. Its maiden project is expected to generate renewable electricity for the equivalent of 1.6 million households.

Van Oord has been contracted to install a total of 105 extended monopiles for the Nordseecluster offshore wind farm, a joint project by RWE (51%) and Norges Bank Investment Management (49%). With the successful installation of the first 45 monopiles, a significant milestone has been reached. The remaining 60 monopiles will be installed at the second expansion stage, Nordseecluster B, scheduled for 2027. During its first assignment, the Boreas has demonstrated its advanced monopile installation capabilities. With its impressive size, smart design and powerful equipment, the vessel is ready to meet the demands of sustainable offshore wind projects.

Maurits den Broeder, Managing Director Offshore Energy at Van Oord:
"With the Boreas now operational and its first assignment successfully completed, we are well-positioned to accommodate the increase in scale in the offshore wind industry. This milestone underscores our commitment to enhancing the energy transition. It’s exciting to see this magnificent vessel in action, and we look forward to its successful deployment on many more offshore wind projects."

In addition to the Boreas, Van Oord deployed its offshore wind installation vessel Aeolus to install secondary steel. Flexible fallpipe vessels Stornes and Bravenes were deployed for rock installation around the monopile foundations, to prevent erosion caused by strong currents and waves.

Henk Jan van Dijk, Project Director at Van Oord:
"The great performance of the Boreas on its first project marks a major milestone, that is made possible by the dedication, expertise, and energy of everyone involved. The timely and precise installation of the first 45 monopiles reflects not only the capabilities of the vessel, but also the strength of our team."

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Van Oord