Cadeler has ordered a second F-class jack-up vessel. With another three jack-ups already under construction, the company will soon triple its fleet from two to six.
The global demand for offshore wind capacity and technological developments resulting in increasingly larger wind turbines calls for large installation vessels. As a result, Cadeler has now ordered its second F-class vessel. The jack-up has a hybrid design allowing it to convert from being a foundation installation unit to a wind turbine generator installation vessel within a short period of time.
Cadeler is currently building two X-class as well as an F-class vessel, which are set to be delivered from H2/2024 onwards. The new F-class vessel is expected to be delivered in the second half of 2026. All vessels will be built by COSCO Heavy Industries in Qidong, China, and will sail under Danish flag.
The offshore contractor says it has been able to achieve a very competitive price due to a strong collaboration that the company has built with COSCO Heavy Industries, synergies from building several similar designed jack-ups and negotiating the option for a second F-class seven months ago. It has been agreed between the parties not to disclose the final price of the contract due to these special circumstances.
Also read: NOV to supply equipment and design for Cadeler’s new F-class jack-up
The Cadeler F-class with dual scope
The second F-class vessel will be built on similar specifications to the first F-class vessel, with a deck space of 5600 m2, a payload of more than 17,600 tonnes and a main crane capacity to be disclosed at a later date.
Both the X-class and F-class vessels are said to be as yet unmatched within the industry. The vessels will be able to transport and install seven complete 15-MW turbine sets per load or six sets of 2XL monopile foundations, cutting down the number of transits needed for each project.
In line with the X-class vessels, the F-class will cater for some of the largest dimensions in the offshore wind industry. The X- and F-class vessels are built in close cooperation with Cadeler’s strategic partners, which include GustoMSC NOV, Kongsberg, Huisman and MAN Energy.
Also read: Huisman to supply Leg Encircling Crane to Cadeler’s F-class vessel
Already booked
‘The decision to build another F-class vessel is based on the strong market demand for assets specialising in installing foundations,’ says Cadeler’s CEO, Mikkel Gleerup. ‘Our yet-to-be-build F-class vessels have already been sought after by our customers. As announced in August, we have signed a firm contract with Ørsted and have also entered a long-term agreement with an undisclosed customer booking the F-class from 2027 to 2030.’
Also read: Cadeler orders jack-up foundation installation vessel with COSCO
