Posted on October 29, 2024
Van Oord has officially launched its new cable-laying vessel, Calypso, which is now fully operational. The vessel began its first assignment, installing cables at RWE’s Sofia Offshore Wind Farm in the UK, one of the largest offshore wind projects worldwide.
The Calypso, Van Oord’s second cable-laying vessel after the Nexus, was custom-built with the latest sustainable technologies. It is equipped to install inter-array and export cables, including high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables, crucial for offshore wind projects. The vessel boasts two cable carousels with a total carrying capacity of 8,000 tonnes, allowing simultaneous installation of two HVDC cables.
This investment reflects Van Oord’s commitment to supporting the energy transition and meeting the growing demand for offshore wind infrastructure. Managing Director of Offshore Energy, Arnoud Kuis, noted that the Calypso strengthens Van Oord’s position as a leader in the offshore wind sector.
The Calypso’s first project at Sofia involves the installation of approximately 360 kilometres of inter-array cables. The wind farm, located on Dogger Bank in the North Sea, will have a capacity of 1.4 GW, supplying power to 1.2 million UK homes once fully operational in 2026.
