Cadeler’s P-class vessels
Offshore wind/ Cadeler

New era of offshore wind

Cadeler’s strategic investment in a fleet of cutting-edge wind turbine installation vessels underlines the company’s commitment to driving the global energy transition. As the offshore wind industry continues to expand, its latest addition to its growing fleet of jack-up vessels – Wind Peak – gives a taste of the future, where efficiency and size are everything.

  • Text:Global Sales and Marketing

    Photo:©Kongsberg Maritime

  • Craig Taylor
    Senior Manager PR & Communications
    (+44) 774 9584 285

Cadeler is a leading player in the offshore wind industry and has made a significant investment in its fleet of wind turbine installation vessels (WTIVs). This strategic move positions the company as a key enabler of the global energy transition. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, Cadeler’s vessels are designed to handle the largest and most complex offshore wind projects, ensuring efficient and reliable 
installation operations.

With six newbuild WTIVs under construction and the newbuild Wind Peak already delivered earlier this year, Cadeler’s ambitions are on a par with the sheer scale of these mammoth vessels – big. Last year Kongsberg Maritime secured a significant contract from COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry to supply a comprehensive package of mission critical technology for the company’s fifth installation vessel.

This will be one of the largest in the offshore wind market when delivered, showcasing Kongsberg Maritime’s extensive range of equipment and integration prowess.

Cadeler Adds World-Class Installation Vessel

The new GUSTO-designed NG-20000X vessel is set to become the third A-class vessel in Cadeler’s fleet. With an impressive deck space of 5,600 sq. m and a payload capacity exceeding 17,000 tons, it stands as one of the largest installation vessels in the world, ready to revolutionize offshore operations.

  • The expansive deck space and high payload capacity enable faster and more efficient installation processes.

    Enhanced Efficiency:

  • Ideal for large-scale offshore projects, ensuring Cadeler remains a leader in the installation sector.

    Global Scalability:

  • A bespoke NG-20000X model tailored for next-generation installation demands.

    Future-Ready Design:

Kongsberg Maritime will be supplying a complete electrical, automation and propulsion system, including nine thrusters with fixed-pitch propellers. The package features four UUC355FP main propulsion thrusters, two ULE255FP 
retractable azimuth thrusters and three TT3300DPN FP tunnel thrusters.

The electrical system includes generators, medium voltage and low voltage switchboards, DC switchboards, an Energy Storage System (ESS) and propulsion drives, all integrated with the dynamic positioning (DP) system. Tailored energy 
control functions optimise the vessel’s energy efficiency, and the battery-hybrid electrical system reduces the number of engines required for crane operations and manoeuvring.

Cadeler’s fleet expansion includes two P-class, two M-class and three A-class vessels, with the latest expected to be delivered in 2027.

At the naming ceremony for the P-class vessel Wind Peak in August 2024, Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler, emphasised the importance of advanced technology in meeting the increasing demands of the offshore wind industry: 

With the growing need for efficient offshore wind farms to support global sustainability goals, there is a demand for larger turbines and more advanced vessels to install them. Kongsberg Maritime’s cutting-edge technology plays a crucial role in making this possible.

Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler

“It gives us a totally new opportunity, both as a company and as an industry. Kongsberg Maritime delivered the most comprehensive package to Cadeler, both in terms of the equipment we needed and the support we received. 
“Every single component on this vessel has been well thought through. The propulsion package and the electrical package gives us the opportunity to run at maximum efficiency.”

The bridge of Wind Peak, which has a payload of more than 17,600 tons.

Halvor Økland, Tender Engineering Director, Integrated Solutions at Kongsberg Maritime, expresses pride in the ongoing collaboration. “We are delighted to have once again secured a significant contract from COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry to supply an extensive range of technology for Cadeler’s latest jack-up vessel.

The company has exciting plans for the future of offshore wind installation, and their continued investment in a fleet of state-of-the-art installation vessels is setting the standard for offshore wind operations.”Brynjulv Standal, Kongsberg Maritime’s Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing APAC, says: “These projects are very important for us, and it’s been a pleasure to work with Cadeler and COSCO.

The Wind Peak, left, is one of the largest installation vessels in the world. Below, the vessel naming ceremony at COSCO’s yard in Qidong, China
The Wind Peak, left, is one of the largest installation vessels in the world. Below, the vessel naming ceremony at COSCO’s yard in Qidong, China 

Kongsberg Maritime is supplying a big range of equipment for these vessels, each with a very advanced hybrid electric system and energy management system. This partnership has enabled the creation of a vessel that sets new standards in the offshore wind industry.”

The partnership between Kongsberg Maritime and COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry continues to drive innovation and efficiency in the offshore wind sector, with Wind Peak set to enhance Cadeler’s capabilities in this rapidly growing market. With more to follow, it’s an exciting time for offshore wind.

Mikkel Gleerup concludes: “Having a partner who understands us and who sees us as a partner ensures that we have maximum uptime on these vessels – this was 
important for us and that’s why we selected Kongsberg Maritime. We have invested a lot of money in the company for the benefit of the industry, and for the benefit of the world.”

The facts – Cadeler’s P-class vessels

Wind Peak and Wind Pace (to be delivered in Q2 2025) are designed to operate at some of the most difficult sites around the globe and with the most advanced equipment in the industry. They will offer increased transit capacity, lowering the energy intensity of installation, reducing installation time and thereby lowering total cost of installing offshore wind farms.

  • Deck space: 5,600m2
  • Payload: more than 17,600 tons
  • Main crane capacity: 2,600 tons at 46 metres
  • Accommodation: 130 people
  • The vessels will be able to transport and install seven complete 15MW turbine sets per load or five sets of 20+ MW turbines, cutting down the number of trips needed for each project, thus accelerating installation speed and minimising the carbon footprint

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