Cadeler Acquires New Wind Turbine Installation Vessel

Cadeler, a leading provider of offshore wind installation services, has recently taken delivery of its latest acquisition, the Wind Keeper, a state-of-the-art jack-up wind turbine installation vessel. This newly-constructed vessel will further enhance Cadeler’s capabilities in installing and maintaining large-scale offshore wind projects.

The acquisition of the Wind Keeper marks a significant milestone for Cadeler, as it becomes the eighth vessel in the company’s expanding fleet. The vessel was purchased from Shanghai Boqiang Heavy Industry Group in May 2025 and has now been officially delivered to Cadeler.

In addition to acquiring the Wind Keeper, Cadeler has also secured a long-term contract with Vestas, a global leader in wind energy solutions. The contract encompasses a firm period of three years with additional options for two and a half years, with a total contract value of approximately $243 million (€ 210 million). If all options are exercised, the contract could exceed $440 million (€ 380 million).

As part of the agreement with Vestas, the Wind Keeper will serve as a versatile service vessel, supporting both operations and maintenance as well as transport and installation tasks for Vestas’ offshore wind projects. The vessel departed China en route to Europe in July and is expected to start operations in the first quarter of 2026.

Prior to commencing its contract with Vestas, the Wind Keeper will undergo tailored upgrades to enhance its operational capacity and align its onboard capabilities with Cadeler’s fleet standards. The vessel will be equipped with seafastening for three sets of Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines, positioning it to support installations in the growing 15 MW segment.

Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler, expressed his enthusiasm for the new acquisition and the partnership with Vestas, stating, “This first contract for Wind Keeper is exactly why we made the strategic decision to acquire her. We see increasing demand in Europe for flexible, high-performance vessels that can support both O&M and installation scopes, and she fits that profile perfectly.”

Gleerup added, “After a series of upgrades to enhance her capabilities, Wind Keeper will be ready to support our trusted partners from 2026. We’re proud to see our vision come to life and grateful to Vestas for the trust they’ve placed in us.”