Kongsberg Maritime has signed a new technology contract worth around €28 million with COSCO Shipping (Qidong) Offshore for an F-Class foundation installation vessel.
The vessel is said to have greater lifting capacity than previous vessels and will be delivered to Danish service provider Cadeler in 2025. It also features a unique convertible design, allowing a simple refit process to change role from a foundation installation vessel to a wind turbine installation vessel.
The agreement will see KM supply a comprehensive technology package for the F-class jack-up which will be able to transport up to six XL monopiles weighing 2,300-2,600mt each per round-trip.
“This is a very smart vessel with a very bright future in the rapidly evolving offshore wind market,” said Egil Haugsdal, president, Kongsberg Maritime. “The bespoke solutions we have devised for the wind turbine installation vessels and this newly announced foundation installation vessel indicate how much thought and effort we devote to facilitating and encouraging sustainable marine operations.”
This is the third contract KM has received for Cadeler installation vessels with KM’s Integrated Solution being crucial to the delivery and operation of all three vessels.
This suite of solutions combines KM’s optimised thruster package, electrical solution and dynamic positioning functionalities and includes multiple digital tools to improve sustainability and reliability.
Cadeler is currently in discussions concerning a XL Monopile foundation installation contract in the North Sea, which will commence with this F-class vessel.
