Philly Shipyard has won a contract from Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Company to construct a Jones Act-compliant subsea rock installation vessel.
It will be the first such ship to enter the US market and the initial award is valued at approximately $197m.
Great Lakes retains a right of first refusal on a second ship.
If both ships are ordered, then the total contract value of the 2-ship program would be approximately $382m.
The basic design is by Ulstein, a Norwegian-Dutch designer of offshore wind vessels.
The subsea rock installation vessel is designed to carry rock and strategically deposit rocks on the ocean bottom, laying a foundation for offshore wind turbine monopiles.
The vessel will have an overall length of 140.5 metres and a breadth of 34.1 metres and crew accommodations for 45 people.
The owner will supply the rock placement system and other mission equipment.
Delivery for the first vessel is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024 with the second (if awarded) being delivered in the fourth quarter of 2025.
“Philly Shipyard is proud to contribute to the delivery of a vessel which will be essential in achieving the nation’s ambitious offshore wind targets.
“It is monumental for our shipyard to win this contract for Great Lakes,” said Thomas Grunwald, vice president and lead manager of US offshore wind strategy and business development at Philly Shipyard.