Cadeler, a key supplier of offshore wind installation, operations, and maintenance services, has announced the successful, on-budget delivery of its first A-class wind installation vessel, Wind Ally, marking the ninth vessel in the company’s expanding fleet of next-generation offshore units.
Following mobilisation, Wind Ally will commence operations at Ørsted’s Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm in the North Sea, where Cadeler will, for the first time, assume full responsibility for the transport and installation (T&I) of monopile foundations. This milestone represents a strategic expansion of Cadeler’s capabilities as it positions itself as a full-service provider in the foundations market.
Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler, comments: “With Wind Ally now delivered ahead of schedule and immediately deployed to this landmark project, we are taking a decisive step into a new chapter for Cadeler. Over the past year, we have built the needed capabilities to take on the full foundations scope. Establishing an entirely new department of dedicated specialists and investing in the design of vessels tailored for XXL monopiles has been a huge effort across the company. Hornsea 3 will be the first project where we bring all of this preparation together, and I am proud that we now stand ready to deliver the complete T&I of foundations as a trusted and long-term partner to Ørsted.”
The new vessel has been under construction for two years at the Cosco shipyard in Qidong, China. It has been delivered ahead of schedule, within budget, and with a strong safety record during construction accumulating more than 3.5 million safe working hours. The design is a result of close cooperation between Cadeler and its key partners, including COSCO, GustoMSC, NOV, Kongsberg, Huisman, and MAN Energy.
Wind Ally was officially named at a naming ceremony on the 24 September. The ceremony was attended by senior leaders and crew representatives from Cadeler, alongside partners and key stakeholders, celebrating the naming and successful construction of the company’s first A-class vessel. Earlier today, the vessel was officially delivered to Cadeler, marking a significant milestone in the company’s fleet expansion.
The A-class design is tailored to meet the increasing size and complexity of offshore wind turbines and foundations. With a deck space of 5,600 m², payload exceeding 18,000 tonnes, and a main crane capable of lifting above 3,300 tonnes at 39 meters, Wind Ally can transport and install up to six sets of XXL monopile foundations per load. This efficiency reduces the number and total duration of transits, accelerates efficiency during installation, and enhances safety and sustainability across projects. The vessel can accommodate up to 130 crew members and installation technicians. The hybrid design of the A-class vessels allows swift conversion between foundation installation and wind turbine generator installation. This unique combination of capacity and flexibility makes the A-class unmatched in the market today.
Wind Ally is the first of three A-class newbuilds ordered by Cadeler. Her sister vessel, Wind Ace, is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2026, followed by Wind Apex in 2027. Cadeler is fully on track with its fleet expansion strategy and, by mid-2027, the company will operate a 12-vessel fleet – the largest and most versatile in the offshore wind industry – offering greater flexibility and execution certainty for its global client base.
When completed, Hornsea 3 will become the single largest offshore wind farm in the world. It will deliver 2.9 GW of renewable energy, enough to power more than three million UK homes. Cadeler will be an important contributor to the project, delivering the full foundation transportation and installation scope and installing half of the associated wind turbines.
Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler, comments: “With three Cadeler vessels on hire to deliver both the foundation and turbine transportation and installation scopes, we are proud to play a pivotal role in Ørsted’s ambitious Hornsea 3 project. This project builds on a strong partnership that spans more than a decade. It is a natural continuation of the trust and collaboration we have built together.”
