179m jackup concept targets the heavy-lift challenge posed by 20–30MW turbines and next-generation monopiles
Deltamarin and Offshoretronic have formally announced the signing of an Exclusive Engineering Consultant Agreement for the development of the Vitruvian Class, a next-generation jackup monopile and wind turbine installation vessel designed to meet the future requirements of the offshore wind industry.
Under the agreement, Deltamarin and Offshoretronic will develop the Vitruvian Class to a shipyard-ready status, with the project targeting the anticipated arrival of 20–30 MW offshore wind turbines into commercial service from around 2030.
These advanced units are expected to be deployed in water depths ranging from 30 to 60 metres, necessitating monopile foundations of unprecedented scale—measuring 100–130 metres in length, 12–16 metres in outer diameter, and weighing up to 5,000 metric tonnes.
The development of the Vitruvian Class is driven by three core imperatives:
- Unmatched Lifting Capacity
The vessel is engineered to accommodate monopiles exceeding 3,000 metric tonnes—a capability that surpasses the operational limits of the current global fleet, which typically peaks within the 3,000–3,500 tonne range. This represents not a marginal improvement, but a transformative advancement essential for next-decade offshore wind project requirements. - Superior Economic Viability
Through a holistic, ground-up design approach, the Vitruvian Class delivers a future-proof architecture that effectively balances capital expenditure (CAPEX) with operational expenditure (OPEX). Advanced system integration and streamlined operational workflows ensure that the vessel remains a highly competitive asset throughout its full lifecycle and can be deployed for world wide operations. - Strategic Foresight
With 20–30 MW turbines set to redefine the market by 2030, foundation installation demands will escalate dramatically, requiring loads between 3,000 and 5,000 metric tonnes. The Vitruvian class vessel is offering a robust, safety-first platform that is pre-positioned to meet the most demanding challenges of the offshore wind industry’s next era.
The Vitruvian Class Monopile Installation Vessel (MPIV) features an overall length of 179 metres and a beam of 75 metres, delivering exceptional deck space and operational stability. It will be the world’s largest jackup vessel unit to come to market.
Beyond the MPIV, Deltamarin and Offshoretronic will also introduce a Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV) variant of the Vitruvian platform, purpose-built for the safe and efficient handling of 20–30 MW wind turbine generator components, including towers, nacelles, and blades which will be stored in a safe longitudinal axis of the vessel.
Together, both vessel types are poised to unlock the next leap forward in large-scale offshore wind deployment—delivering the long-awaited installation capability the market demands for wind turbines well over 20 MW, while driving significant cost efficiencies and enhancing operational safety across the offshore wind industry.
