Jan De Nul Group has ordered a jack-up vessel that will have crane capacity for next-generation offshore wind turbines.
The Voltaire vessel will be built at COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry in China and will be Jan De Nul’s third jack-up when it is delivered in 2022.
Voltaire will be specifically designed to transport, lift and install offshore wind turbines, transition pieces and foundations and will have better operational limits compared to existing jack-ups, the company said.
It will have a 3000-tonne main crane, an operating depth of approximately 80 metres, a payload of about 14,000 tonnes and accommodation for 100 people.
Compared with Jan De Nul’s two other jack-up vessels, the Vole au vent and the Taillevent, the new vessel will have almost 100% more deck space, the company said.
Jan De Nul Group offshore director Philippe Hutse said: “Upon her delivery in 2022, we will be capable of efficiently installing the next generation of offshore wind turbine generators and foundations.
“This investment is a logical step forward in the development of our offshore wind capacities.
“The third jack-up vessel will enable us to cope with our increased number of offshore wind projects worldwide.
“In addition, we recognise the global trend towards larger wind turbines for increased green energy demands. The Voltaire will have all the required specifications to meet the upcoming challenges.”
The vessel is named after the French writer, historian and philosopher François-Marie Arouet, known by his pseudonym Voltaire.