Cadeler has receved its first A-class vessel, Wind Ally, delivered on budget and ahead of schedule. Wind Ally becomes the ninth vessel on the water in Cadeler’s growing fleet of next-generation wind installation vessels (WIVs).
After its scheduled mobilisation, it will head directly into operations installing foundations at Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm in the North Sea. For the first time, Cadeler will take on the entire transport and installation (T&I) scope for offshore monopile foundations – a strategic step that positions the company as a full-service provider in the foundations market.
Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler: ‘With Wind Ally now delivered ahead of schedule and immediately deployed to this landmark project, we are taking a decisive step into a new chapter for Cadeler. Over the past year, we have built the needed capabilities to take on the full foundations scope. Establishing an entirely new department of dedicated specialists and investing in the design of vessels tailored for XXL monopiles has been a huge effort across the company. Hornsea 3 will be the first project where we bring all of this preparation together.’
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Key partners
The new vessel has been under construction for two years at the Cosco shipyard in Qidong, China. It has been delivered ahead of schedule, within budget, and with a strong safety record during construction accumulating more than 3.5 million safe working hours. The design is a result of close cooperation between Cadeler and its key partners, including COSCO, GustoMSC, NOV, Kongsberg, Huisman, and MAN Energy.
Wind Ally was officially named at a naming ceremony on the 24 September. The ceremony was attended by senior leaders and crew representatives from Cadeler, alongside partners and key stakeholders, celebrating the naming and construction of the company’s first A-class vessel. On 25 September, the vessel was officially delivered to Cadeler.
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A-class design
The A-class design is tailored to meet the increasing size and complexity of offshore wind turbines and foundations. With a deck space of 5600 m2, payload exceeding 18,000 tonnes, and a main crane capable of lifting above 3300 tonnes at 39 metres, Wind Ally can transport and install up to six sets of XXL monopile foundations per load. This efficiency reduces the number and total duration of transits, accelerates efficiency during installation, and enhances safety and sustainability across projects.
The vessel can accommodate up to 130 crew members and installation technicians. The hybrid design of the A-class vessels allows swift conversion between foundation installation and wind turbine generator installation.
Fleet expansion
Wind Ally is the first of three A-class newbuilds ordered by Cadeler. Its sister vessel, Wind Ace, is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2026, followed by Wind Apex in 2027. Cadeler is on track with its fleet expansion strategy and, by mid-2027, the company will operate a twelve-vessel fleet.
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Hornsea 3
When completed, Hornsea 3 will become the single largest offshore wind farm in the world. It will deliver 2.9 GW of renewable energy, enough to power more than three million UK homes. Cadeler will be an important contributor to the project, delivering the full foundation transportation and installation scope and installing half of the associated wind turbines.
Picture: The Wind Ally during the naming ceremony (photo by Cadeler).
