Van Oord’s offshore installation vessel Boreas has arrived in the Netherlands after travelling almost 14,700 nautical miles from China.
Measuring 175 metres in length, the Boreas (pictured) is the largest offshore installation vessel of its kind.
It has been built for the transport and installation of next-generation wind turbines and foundations.
To reach its destination, the vessel had to navigate through the world’s largest sea lock in IJmuiden.
Outfitting and finishing will take place in the Netherlands, before the vessel embarks on its first offshore wind project.
The Boreas is currently docked at TMA Logistics in the Port of Amsterdam, where the vessel will undergo its final completion and commissioning phase.
Its decks will be fitted out with wind turbine foundation equipment and installation tools in preparation for its first assignment.
Van Oord managing director for offshore energy Maurits den Broeder said: “Welcoming the Boreas to the Netherlands is a significant milestone for us after four years of hard work and dedication.
“We are excited to deploy this impressive vessel on our projects and to advance the transition towards renewable energy.”
The Boreas is equipped with a crane capable of lifting over 3,000 tonnes and has a 155-metre-high boom.
Four giant legs, each measuring 126 metres, allow the vessel to be jacked up and work in waters up to 70 metres deep.
Van Oord says all these features make the vessel ideal for installing offshore wind turbines of up to 20MW.
The vessel is the first of its kind capable of running on methanol, a fuel that will reduce its footprint by more than 78%.