Van Oord has started the construction of its next-generation jack-up vessel Boreas with a steel cutting ceremony at the Yantai CIMC Raffles shipyard in China.
The vessel, which Van Oord ordered in October last year, will be the first to feature Wärtsilä’s dedicated fuel supply system for methanol, MethanolPac.
Boreas will be able to operate on methanol and install wind turbines with a capacity of up to 25 MW.
The 175-metre jack-up will be purpose-built for the transport and installation of foundations and wind turbines. With a crane supplied by the Dutch company Huisman , the jack-up will be able to lift more than 3,000 tonnes.
Designed by Knud E Hansen, the offshore installation vessel will also feature an advanced jacking system. Four legs, each measuring 126 metres, will allow the ship to be jacked up and work in waters up to 70 metres deep.
The mega jack-up, which Van Oord says will have a very low CO2 footprint, is expected to enter the market in 2024 and will work under the Dutch flag. Van Oord has also taken an option on a second vessel.
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