According to a recent publication by Cadeler, the company has successfully launched its first A-class vessel, named Wind Ally. This milestone was achieved not only on budget but also ahead of schedule.
Wind Ally marks the ninth addition to Cadeler’s expanding fleet of advanced wind installation vessels (WIV). Following her scheduled mobilization, she will immediately commence operations at Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm located in the North Sea. This project represents a significant shift for Cadeler as they take on the complete transport and installation (T&I) responsibilities for offshore monopile foundations, solidifying their role as a comprehensive service provider within this sector.
Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler, expressed his enthusiasm: “The timely delivery and immediate deployment of Wind Ally signify an important transition for our company. Over the past year, we have developed essential capabilities to manage full foundation projects. The establishment of a dedicated team and investment in specialized vessel designs tailored for large monopiles have been substantial efforts across our organization. Hornsea 3 will be our inaugural project where all these preparations come together.”
The construction of this new vessel took place over two years at Cosco shipyard in Qidong, China. Notably delivered ahead of schedule and within budget constraints, it boasts an impressive safety record with over 3.5 million safe working hours logged during its build phase. The design process involved close collaboration with key partners such as COSCO and GustoMSC.
The innovative A-class design is specifically engineered to accommodate the growing size and complexity associated with modern offshore wind turbines and their foundations. With an expansive deck area measuring 5,600 m² and a payload capacity exceeding 18,000 tonnes—alongside a main crane capable of lifting more than 3,300 tonnes—the Wind Ally can efficiently transport up to six sets of XXL monopile foundations per trip. This capability not only streamlines transit times but also enhances overall safety measures while promoting sustainability throughout various projects.
Wind Ally is just the beginning; she is one among three new A-class vessels that Cadeler has commissioned. Her sister ship Wind Ace is expected to join the fleet by late 2026 followed by another sibling named Wind Apex slated for delivery in 2027. By mid-2027, Cadeler aims to operate a total fleet comprising twelve vessels—positioning itself as one of the most versatile players within the offshore wind industry.
Upon completion, Hornsea 3 will stand as the largest offshore wind farm globally with an output capacity reaching up to 2.9 GW—sufficient energy supply for over three million homes across the UK! In this venture, Cadeler plays an integral role by managing both foundation /installation tasks while also contributing half towards turbine installations.
Mikkel Gleerup further stated: “With three vessels from our fleet engaged in delivering both foundation work and turbine installations at Hornsea 3 project site—we are excited about playing such a crucial part alongside Ørsted’s ambitious plans.” He emphasized that this collaboration builds upon more than ten years’ worth of trust between their organizations.
