Van Oord’s wind turbine installation vessel Boreas has commenced with sea trials during excellent weather conditions, according to the company’s latest social media update.
The Dutch company said that over a period of about two and a half weeks, the jack-up vessel and all onboard systems will undergo extensive testing, including speed and turning tests as well as endurance trials.
After the sea trials, the crane of the Boreas will be tested.
With this crane, the vessel will be capable of lifting over 3,000 tonnes, enabling it to install the next generation of 20 MW offshore wind turbines.
Launched in May 2024, Boreas measures 175 metres in length and has a crane with a 155-metre-high boom.
According to Van Oord, the vessel will be the first of its kind to be able to run on methanol, using Wärtsilä’s dedicated fuel supply system, MethanolPac.
The owner plans to deploy the jack-up on several offshore wind projects, including the 760 MW Hollandse Kust West Site VI in the Netherlands.