Cadeler has taken delivery of its first A-class vessel, Wind Ally, marking a new strategic chapter in the company’s offshore foundations business.
The vessel, delivered ahead of schedule and within budget after two years of construction at Cosco’s Qidong yard in China, is the ninth in Cadeler’s fleet.
Following mobilisation, Wind Ally will head directly to Orsted’s Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm in the North Sea to install monopile foundations.
Cadeler said the project will be the first time it delivers the full transport and installation scope for foundations, positioning the company as a full-service provider in the market.
Chief executive Mikkel Gleerup said: “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.”
He added: “Hornsea 3 will be the first project where we bring all of this preparation together, and I am proud that we now stand ready to deliver the complete T&I of foundations as a trusted and long-term partner to Orsted.”
Wind Ally was officially named on 24 September in a ceremony attended by Cadeler leadership, crew representatives and partners. The company said construction achieved more than 3.5 million safe working hours.
The A-class design features 5600m² deck space, payload above 18,000 tonnes and a crane capacity of more than 3300 tonnes at 39 metres. Cadeler said the vessel can transport and install up to six XXL monopile foundations per load, increasing efficiency and safety during offshore campaigns.
Wind Ally is the first of three A-class vessels under construction for Cadeler, with Wind Ace scheduled for delivery in 2026 and Wind Apex in 2027.
When complete, Hornsea 3 will deliver 2.9GW of power, enough to supply more than three million UK homes.