Havfram Wind Orders Second Hybrid Mega Jack-Up

April 18, 2023, by Adnan Memija

Norwegian offshore wind services company Havfram Wind has ordered a second wind turbine installation vessel from CIMC-Raffles in China.

The order represents the first optional vessel in the existing shipbuilding contract with CIMC-Raffles, and the vessel design will be similar to the first GustoMSC NG-20000X jack-up vessel currently under construction.

The latest battery hybrid drive train technology is incorporated in the design, said Havfram, to reduce carbon emission per installed megawatts of offshore wind capacity.

The NG20000X self-propelled jack-up has the capability of installing offshore wind turbines with a rotor diameter of more than 300 metres, as well as XXL monopiles weighing up to 3,000 tonnes at water depths of up to 70 metres.

Capacities have been optimised for high variable deck load and extreme lift heights expected over the next decade, according to Havfram. The crane has a lifting capacity of 3,250 tonnes.

The vessel is expected to be delivered in the late fourth quarter of 2025.

“Globally, we experience a steadily growing demand for offshore wind capacity. At the same time, developments within wind turbine technology cause larger wind turbine components and require therefore larger Wind Turbine Installation vessels”, said Martin Degen, Commercial Director and Vice President of Havfram Wind.

Just this year, Havfram Wind signed contracts with a number of offshore wind giants such as RWE, Northland Power, Vattenfall, and Ørsted.

“The decision to order a second NG20000X Jack-Up vessel with CIMC Raffles is based on the good established cooperation with the shipyard and several commitments with major offshore wind developers. As previously announced, we have signed a contract with Ørsted to install wind turbines at their Hornsea 3 project, starting in autumn of 2026,” said Even Larsen, CEO of Havfram Wind.

“Vattenfall has appointed us as preferred supplier for their Norfolk Projects, starting in the spring of 2027. Last week, we signed a preferred supplier agreement with RWE for turbine installation support for their Nordseecluster project, commencing in the summer of 2026.”