Chinese shipbuilder Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore recently launched a new offshore installation vessel ordered by Van Oord.
Upon completion, Boreas will be used primarily for the transport and installation of foundations and turbines of up to 20 MW capacity at offshore wind farms.
The vessel will have a length of 175 metres, a 155-metre-tall crane able to lift 3,000 tonnes, and four 126-metre legs that will installation works at water depths of up to 70 metres.
To reduce emissions during operations, the vessel will also be fitted with a 6,000kWh battery pack, a dual-fuel engine that can run on methanol, and selective catalytic reduction technology.
The battery will be able to take peak loads and regenerate energy to reduce the vessel's fuel consumption and corresponding emissions even further.
Van Oord expects Boreas to achieve commercial availability starting in 2025.