Cadeler Takes Delivery of First M-Class Vessel, Signs Contracts for Second Unit

February 3, 2025, by Adnan Memija

The first of two M-class wind installation vessels, named Wind Maker, has been delivered to Denmark-headquartered Cadeler. The company has also signed the first contracts for its second M-class vessel, Wind Mover.

Cadeler, a provider of offshore wind installation, operations and maintenance services, celebrated the naming of Wind Maker at the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in South Korea on 27 January.

Wind Maker becomes the sixth vessel in Cadeler’s growing portfolio of wind installation vessels. Its sister vessel, Wind Mover, is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Launched in June 2024, the vessel is designed by GustoMSC and features a 2,600-tonne leg encircling- crane supplied by Huisman Equipment.

Wind Maker has been designed to operate in water depths of up to 65 metres while the vessel itself will be above sea level, installing and maintaining offshore structures.

The self-propelled jack-up vessel will be equipped with DP2 capability, which will allow for fast, safe, and energy-efficient transit and positioning between locations, said Cadeler.

Cadeler’s First M-Class Mega Jack-Up Launched

Vessels

After delivery, Wind Maker will proceed directly to its first wind turbine installation project, the Greater Changhua offshore wind farm in Taiwan, according to our previous news about the ship.

“Wind Maker is already contracted for deployment immediately after its delivery and she and her sister vessel have secured a pipeline of exciting wind farm projects,” said Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler.

Cadeler Secures First Contracts for Wind Mover

Cadeler has signed two contracts with undisclosed clients for the utilisation of its second M-class wind installation vessel, Wind Mover.

The vessel, currently under construction at Hanwha Ocean shipyard, will support operations and maintenance (O&M) activities, along with potential installation work, in Europe.

The contracts, which are part of a combined agreement, will cover the entire period from Wind Mover‘s arrival in Europe following its delivery from the shipyard up until the vessel’s next scheduled installation project, said Cadeler.

The total estimated contract value is up to EUR 75 million, depending on the final delivery and redelivery date of the vessel and the scope of work, which may include both O&M and installation services.

In June 2024, Cadeler signed a firm contract with Inch Cape Offshore Limited, a joint venture between Red Rock Power and ESB, for the installation of 72 Vestas 15 MW wind turbines at the 1.1 GW offshore wind farm in Scotland.

The company plans to utilise one of its two M-class installation vessels for the execution of this work. Recently, the developers reached the final investment decision on the Inch Cape offshore wind farm, which is expected to be completed in 2027.