Cadeler, the world’s largest operator in offshore wind installation, operations, and maintenance services, has taken delivery of its first P-class jack-up installation vessel from the COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (COSCO) shipyard in Qidong, China. The groundbreaking vessel, Wind Peak, was named in a celebratory ceremony at the shipyard and is now set to go into commercial operation.
Being the most modern and innovative vessel in the industry, the P-class is specifically designed to meet the needs of Cadeler’s clients and handle some of the largest wind turbine components in the offshore wind industry.
Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler, stated: “To celebrate this impressive vessel coming into operation is a landmark occasion for Cadeler and our great partners on the project. For everyone involved, this is the culmination of years of hard work, planning, and supervision, and I am extremely pleased to deliver this remarkable asset to Cadeler on time and within budget.”
Setting New Standards for the Industry
Wind Peak and its sister vessel, Wind Pace, which is currently under construction, are engineered to operate at some of the most challenging offshore installation sites worldwide. With their unrivaled loading and installation capacity and boasting the industry’s most advanced technology, they are equipped to install the largest wind turbines currently being deployed across the globe.
Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler, added: “Our customers are constantly pushing the boundaries in terms of size and complexity of the wind turbines being installed offshore. As a trusted supplier to the industry, our success is a measure of our ability to cater to these changing needs both now and in the future. Wind Peak is a representation of this, and we owe our ability to set new standards in the industry to the hardworking Cadeler team, our excellent shipyard, and trusted strategic partners.”
Liang Yanfeng, Chairman of COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry, said: “Throughout the project, we have deeply appreciated the professionalism and carefulness of Cadeler as a leading international enterprise. This project pioneers the use of hybrid oil-electric power technology and is among the most advanced offshore wind turbine installation vessels globally. As a crucial piece of equipment in the renewable energy supply chain, its delivery will play a significant role in the current competitive market and support Cadeler in leading the global wind power sector.”
A Vessel Like No Other
The P-class vessels are remarkable, pushing industry boundaries in every way. With the ability to transport and install seven complete 15 MW turbine sets or five sets of 20+ MW turbines per load, the transit capacity reduces the energy intensity of installation and installation time, thereby ultimately lowering the total cost and carbon footprint of installation per turbine.
Being the largest vessels in the Cadeler fleet, both Wind Peak and Wind Pace boast a deck space of 5,600 m², a payload capacity of over 17,600 tons, and a main crane capable of lifting more than 2,500 tons at 53 meters. Additionally, each vessel can accommodate up to 130 crew members and installation technicians.
“Cadeler has always valued innovation and looked for new ways to provide better solutions for our customers while focusing on the increasing need for sustainability in our industry. The P-class vessels exemplify this commitment by setting new standards, such as being designed to utilize biofuels and having an electrical system that saves excess energy for reuse,” Gleerup noted.
The P-class vessels are the result of close cooperation with Cadeler’s strategic partners, including COSCO, GustoMSC NOV, Kongsberg, Huisman, and MAN Energy. The sister ship to Wind Peak, Wind Pace, is scheduled for delivery by the COSCO shipyard to Cadeler in Q2 2025. Both ships will be registered in Denmark.
