Penta-Ocean Construction signed shipbuilding contract with Seatrium

Notice regarding Construction of Heavy Lift Vessel (HLV)

Tokyo, Japan – Penta-Ocean Construction (hereinafter POC) hereby announces that on January 27, 2025, the company has signed a shipbuilding contract with Seatrium Limited (CEO Chris Ong ) on the construction of a heavy lift vessel (hereinafter HLV), utilized for the installation of offshore wind turbine foundations.

The offshore wind power generation in Japan is currently progressing with a focus on the development of bottom-fixed offshore wind power facilities in the port areas. After FY 3/28, we expect the start of full-scale construction in the general sea areas. As a leading company in marine civil engineering, we have been actively investing in the construction of large-scale work vessels required for offshore wind construction including offshore installation vessels, in an effort to contribute to the expansion of offshore wind power supply in Japan. In the coming projects in general sea areas, the monopile will be increasingly heavier with larger wind turbines, making it difficult to install the foundations using an offshore installation vessel.

In order to ensure the safe and efficient installation of large-scale foundations (monopile type) for 15 to 20 MW class wind turbines, we will build the world’s largest self-propelled HLV with a novel concept, equipped with a fully revolving 5,000t lifting crane. The HLV bears a unique, U-shaped notch at the stern. It is designed to upend a monopile being stored lengthwise on the vessel using a 5,000t lifting crane and the upending system with a gripper, which enables installation directly at the notch. As the installation is performed at the stern, the HLV’s hull shields its operation from waves and currents, thereby minimizing ship motions. In addition, the dynamic positioning system (DPS2) equipped on the vessel ensures safe and efficient installation of monopiles, even under severe metocean conditions in the open sea.

Ulstein Design & Solutions (the Netherlands), recognized for their expertise in heavy lift vessel design, will be in charge of the hull design. Huisman Equipment (the Netherlands), a leading manufacturer of offshore cranes, will build the equipment on the deck, which includes the fully revolving 5,000t crane and the monopile upending system with a gripper. Seatrium Group (Singapore), renowned worldwide for innovative offshore and marine engineering services and a strong track record in offshore vessel newbuilds, will construct the hull.

The HLV will be jointly owned by a POC’s subsidiary (to be established) (ownership ratio: 50%) and Fuyo General Lease Co., Ltd. (President Hiroaki Oda) (50%). The estimated construction cost of the HLV is approximately JPY 120 bn. Completion is scheduled for May 2028, with operation anticipated in Autumn of 2028.

We are confident that the HLV will make a significant contribution to the widespread use and promotion of offshore wind power generation in Japan through “safe and efficient construction” and “reasonable construction costs.”

Image of the HLV