Van Oord’s Boreas Arrives in the Netherlands for Final Outfitting and Christening
Van Oord’s state-of-the-art offshore installation vessel, Boreas, has completed its voyage from China, spanning almost 14,700 nautical miles, and has arrived in the Netherlands for final outfitting and christening before beginning its first offshore wind project.
The Boreas is currently docked at TMA Logistics in the Port of Amsterdam, where it will undergo its final completion and commissioning phase. The vessel’s decks will be outfitted with wind turbine foundation equipment and installation tools in preparation for its inaugural assignment. The christening ceremony is scheduled to take place in Rotterdam in June.
Managing Director for Offshore Energy at Van Oord, Maurits den Broeder, expressed his excitement about the arrival of the Boreas in the Netherlands, calling it a significant milestone after years of hard work and dedication. He emphasized the company’s commitment to deploying the vessel on projects that contribute to the advancement of renewable energy.
Features of the Boreas
The Boreas is the largest offshore installation vessel of its kind, measuring 175 meters in length and equipped with a crane capable of lifting over 3,000 tonnes. Its 155-meter-high boom is specifically designed for the transport and installation of next-generation wind turbines and foundations.
With four giant legs, each measuring 126 meters, the Boreas can be jacked up to work in waters up to 70 meters deep, making it ideal for installing offshore wind turbines of up to 20 MW. Additionally, the vessel is the first of its kind capable of running on methanol, a fuel that reduces its environmental footprint by more than 78%.
The Boreas is also equipped with cutting-edge active emissions control technology, such as Selective Catalytic Reduction, to minimize NOx emissions. A battery pack with a capacity of about 6,000 kilowatt hours helps manage peak loads and regenerate energy, further reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Van Oord’s Boreas represents a significant advancement in offshore wind installation technology, showcasing the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and innovation in the renewable energy sector.