- Cadeler takes early delivery of the Wind Keeper vessel, now under a long-term contract with Vestas.
- The contract is valued at EUR 210 million, with potential to exceed EUR 380 million.
- Wind Keeper enhances Cadeler's capacity for large-scale offshore wind installation and maintenance.
Cadeler (CDLR, Financial), a leader in offshore wind installation, has announced the early delivery of its latest vessel, Wind Keeper. This new acquisition comes ahead of schedule and marks a significant expansion of Cadeler's fleet capabilities, which now includes eight vessels specifically designed to support large-scale offshore wind operations.
Accompanying the delivery, Cadeler has secured a lucrative long-term contract with Vestas, a prominent player in the wind industry. The agreement spans three years with further optional extensions totaling two and a half years, potentially increasing the contract's initial value from EUR 210 million to over EUR 380 million.
Wind Keeper, a versatile service vessel, will undertake operations and maintenance (O&M) as well as transport and installation (T&I) tasks, catering to current and upcoming offshore wind projects. The vessel is set to depart China for Europe to receive tailored upgrades that will align it with Cadeler’s existing fleet capabilities before starting its contract at the beginning of 2026.
Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler, expressed confidence in the acquisition, emphasizing the strategic decision to expand their fleet in response to growing European demand for such high-performance vessels. Enhancements to the Wind Keeper will enable it to handle the installation of up to three sets of the Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines, supporting the industry's shift to larger, more powerful offshore wind solutions.
Built with cutting-edge European systems, including a 2,200-tonne Huisman crane and Kongsberg's DP2 dynamic positioning, the Wind Keeper is designed to thrive under challenging offshore conditions. This vessel strengthens Cadeler’s position in the renewable energy market by ensuring the efficient construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms.
