Van Oord Unveils Boreas, World’s Largest and Most Sustainable Offshore Wind Installation Vessel

Dutch marine contractor Van Oord marked a major milestone in its offshore wind ambitions today with the official christening of its newest vessel, Boreas. The ceremony, held in Rotterdam and attended by company staff and invited guests, was led by Carola Schouten, Mayor of Rotterdam.

The Boreas is now recognised as the largest and most sustainable offshore wind installation vessel currently in existence. Purpose-built to handle next-generation wind turbine foundations and components, the vessel is poised to play a key role in supporting the growing scale of offshore wind projects globally.

Built for the Next Era of Offshore Wind

Named after the Greek god of the North Wind, Boreas is 175 metres long and features a crane with a 155-metre boom capable of lifting over 3,000 tonnes. It is designed to install wind turbines of over 20 megawatts, reaching heights comparable to the Eiffel Tower. This capacity enables Van Oord to meet the increasing demand for large-scale offshore wind infrastructure.

Van Oord CEO Govert van Oord described the vessel as the company’s largest-ever investment. “Boreas symbolises our commitment to remain at the forefront of offshore wind development and the broader energy transition. Its methanol-fuelled capability strengthens our path toward net-zero emissions,” he said.

Industry-Leading Sustainability Features

The Boreas is the first offshore wind installation vessel of its kind equipped with dual-fuel engines capable of operating on methanol. This reduces its carbon emissions by more than 78% compared to conventional fuels. Additional green technologies on board include Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and a 6,000+ kilowatt-hour battery pack to enhance energy efficiency.

Maiden Voyage to Nordseecluster Project

Following the christening, Boreas is scheduled to begin work on its first assignment: the Nordseecluster project in the German North Sea. Developed jointly by RWE (51%) and Norges Bank Investment Management (49%), the 1.6-gigawatt wind farm will generate electricity for an estimated 1.6 million German households. Van Oord will be responsible for the installation of 104 extended monopiles and associated scour protection.

Climate Targets Validated by SBTi

Alongside the vessel launch, Van Oord announced that its climate goals have been officially validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). It becomes the first marine contractor to have its emissions reduction roadmap approved under the 1.5°C pathway outlined in the Paris Agreement. The validation confirms that Van Oord’s targets align with the latest climate science, including those related to its fleet, guided by SBTi’s maritime sector recommendations.