deugro, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and Amasus Offshore have taken delivery of Rotra Futura, the first of two vessels purpose-designed to transport blades for offshore wind turbines
As highlighted previously by OWJ, design of the innovative vessels –Rotra FuturaandRotra Horizon– was developed by Concordia Damen, Amasus, deugro Denmark, Siemens Gamesa and DEKC Maritime following aMay 2023 charter deal awarded by Siemens Gamesa to deugro Denmark and Amasus for two vessels customised to transport components for offshore wind turbines.
Once delivered, the vessels will enter into a long-term charter with Siemens Gamesa.
Delivery of Rotra Futura took place on 30 March 2025 at Zhenjiang Shipyard in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China. A naming ceremony for the vessel will take place in Europe later this year. Four days later, the second vessel, Rotra Horizon, which will be delivered in July 2025, was launched.
The new vessels are designed to transport blades for new-generation offshore wind turbines, which are larger than their predecessors. The /roll-off vessels can transport larger, heavier blades whilst providing cost savings of around 20% compared to two earlier vessels, Rotra Mare and Rotra Vente, that were also commissioned to transport wind turbine blades for Siemens Gamesa.
To date, the first two Rotra vessels have transported more than 7.8M tonnes of freight, equivalent to more than 9.0 GW of wind power.
Measuring 167.6 m x 26 m and with bridge and accommodation placed forward for optimal cargo intake without limitations to line-of-sight, the vessels have a ro-ro- ramp, three Liebherr cranes and a gantry system that allows the stowage of blades in three tiers.
The vessels are also more environmentally friendly than their predecessors, having an optimized hull shape, low-drag coatings and a low fuel consumption Wärtsilä engine. They also have hybrid propulsion and exhaust gas cleaning meeting IMO Tier 3 standards, with waste heat recovery.
Siemens Gamesa global commodity manager ports and transportation Christian Johansensaid, “Our offshore order backlog amounts to more than 16 GW, reflecting strong global demand. With the development and charter of the new Rotra vessels, we are well prepared to ensure safe, timely and cost-effective execution of offshore projects around the world.”
