On July 16, CIMC Raffles and Dutch offshore giant Van Oord held a “cloud signing” ceremony to finalize an EPC contract for 1+1 methanol dual-fuel subsea rock installation vessels.
This collaboration marks another milestone in their “ironclad” partnership, following the successful delivery earlier this year of the world’s largest and most advanced wind turbine installation vessel, *BOREAS*. It vividly embodies CIMC Raffles’ cultural commitment to “enabling customer success.”
The newly contracted Van Oord subsea rock installation vessel (SRI) adopts the Ulstein SX236 design and will be classed by Bureau Veritas (BV), setting industry benchmarks in design, performance, and environmental sustainability. The first vessel is slated for delivery in 2028, with the second following in 2029.
**Unmatched Capacity**
With a length of 199 meters and a beam of 32.2 meters, the vessel features DP2 dynamic positioning capability. Its rock-carrying capacity reaches 35,000 tons, enabling large-scale rock handling operations.
**Eco-Conscious Innovation**
Equipped with multi-fuel engines compatible with biofuels and methanol, the vessel employs an all-electric propulsion system. Its power plant consists of three Wärtsilä methanol dual-fuel generators and a 3,480 kW high-capacity battery storage system, delivering over 17 MW of total power. This hybrid setup drastically reduces carbon emissions while optimizing load management and energy efficiency.
**Precision Maneuverability**
Six high-performance thrusters enhance operational flexibility, system redundancy, and positioning stability in challenging sea conditions.
**Crew-Centric Design**
The vessel sets new standards for onboard living and working conditions, complying with BV’s COMF NOISE 1 and COMF VIB1 (highest-tier noise and vibration control) requirements to ensure crew comfort during extended offshore missions.
Van Oord currently operates three SRIs: *Stornes* (2011), *Nordnes* (2001), and *Bravenes* (2017). Notably, *Stornes*—built by CIMC Raffles—holds multiple world records for deepwater rock placement.
At the signing ceremony, Harold Linssen, Director of Ship Management at Van Oord, remarked: *”We’re honored to collaborate again with our trusted partner CIMC Raffles on this landmark project. This vessel will address growing global demand for offshore energy infrastructure protection and reinforce our leadership in the SRI segment.”*
Li Minggao, Vice President of CIMC Raffles, stated: *”Reuniting with Van Oord reflects our ‘customer success’ ethos. We’ll deploy top resources to deliver a green, high-performance vessel that stands the test of time.”*
The agreement signifies a new chapter in their partnership. During the *BOREAS* project, CIMC Raffles overcame complex design challenges and tight deadlines through lean management (process optimization, specialized scheduling, and zone/team management), delivering the automated, record-breaking WTIV on schedule.
Beyond project execution, their bond deepened into mutual trust. On June 18, Van Oord hosted a grand naming ceremony for *BOREAS* in Rotterdam, inviting CIMC Raffles as guest of honor and praising its exceptional performance. This camaraderie fueled the new SRI deal, with a Letter of Intent signed the next day.
**About Van Oord**
A 155-year-old Dutch family enterprise, Van Oord specializes in dredging, offshore wind, and oil/gas infrastructure across 39 countries. Its 6,000+ employees and innovative marine technologies drive sustainable solutions for future generations.
**About CIMC Raffles**
A leading offshore equipment provider, CIMC Raffles offers full lifecycle management for drilling/production platforms, Ro-Ro ships, WTIVs, floating solar/hydrogen systems, and marine aquaculture gear, committed to pioneering reliable solutions for ocean development.
This reunion of industry titans not only advances green, smart, and efficient offshore engineering but also sets a benchmark for high-value international partnerships.
