SWZ|Maritime’s editor Hengameh Farahpour travelled to Rotterdam in June to visit the christening event of Van Oord’s Boreas and take a tour of this special vessel. The Boreas is now the largest and most sustainable offshore wind installation vessel in the world.

The vessel was christened during a celebratory ceremony that took place in Rotterdam on 18 June and was attended by guests, partners, and employees. The vessel was christened by Ms. Carola Schouten, Mayor of Rotterdam. Pictures of a tour of the vessel are published below.

Also read: Van Oord christens offshore installation giant Boreas

Largest and most sustainable

With a crane capable of lifting over 3000 tonnes, a 155-metre boom, and jack-up legs that can operate in waters up to 70 metres deep, the vessel is designed to handle turbines exceeding 20 MW in capacity, paving the way for large-scale fixed-bottom wind projects further offshore.

‘The Boreas is the largest investment in our company’s history,’ said Govert van Oord, CEO of Van Oord. ‘It reflects our ambition to remain a frontrunner in offshore wind, accelerate the energy transition, and perform our work responsibly.’

Also read: Van Oord had busy year, lower net profit

Methanol and batteries

Built with the future in mind, Boreas is the first installation vessel of its kind to sail on methanol, reducing carbon emissions by over 78 per cent. It is also equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, and a 6000 kWh battery for greater energy efficiency.

The vessel’s first assignment is the Nordseecluster offshore wind farm in Germany, a joint project by RWE and Norges Bank Investment Management. Van Oord will install 104 monopiles, the substation foundation, and scour protection in two phases.

Also read: Amsterdam conducts first methanol STS bunkering with Van Oord’s Boreas

Boreas specs

The particulars of Van Oord’s Boreas are:

Length overall: 175.1 m
Breadth overall: 63.0 m
Depth (to maindeck): 13.2 m
Draught (incl. spudcans): <8.5 m
Tonnage: 47,017 GT
Deadweight: ± 20,000 tonnes
Speed: 12-13 knots
Crane Main hoist: 3200 tonnes
Auxiliary hoist: 500 tonnes
Auxiliary crane 1: 27,5 tonnes/45 m
Auxiliary crane 2: 17,5 tonnes/42 m
Propulsion: 4 x 4000 kW = 16,000 kW
Retractable thrusters: 2 x 2700 kW
Bow thrusters: 2 x 2700 kW
Total installed power: > 21,750 kW (+ 5000 kWh battery pack)
Accommodation: 128 persons
Jack-up system: 4 legs – length 126 m
Clear deck area: 7150 m2
Dynamic positioning system: DP Class 2
Environmental: Dual-fuel MGO and methanol, IMO Tier3/EPA Tier3 compliant, ultra low NOx SCR installed, 5000 kWh battery pack installed