Deltamarin and Offshoretronic to Co-Develop World's Largest Jack-Up Installation Vessel

Finnish ship design house Deltamarin has joined forces with Barcelona-based Offshoretronic to develop what will be the world's largest jack-up monopile installation vessel. The companies have signed an exclusive engineering agreement to develop the Vitruvian-class to shipyard-ready status, describing it as a direct response to a looming capability gap in offshore wind. Designed to handle next-generation monopiles up to 130 metres long and weighing up to 5,000 tonnes, the vessel aims to exceed the current fleet's capacity ceiling.

 

Details of the Agreement

 

Two design firms have joined forces. Finnish ship design house Deltamarin is one. Barcelona-based Offshoretronic is the other. They aim to develop a major installation vessel. This will handle massive monopile foundations.

The agreement has a clear scope. They signed an exclusive engineering agreement. It covers developing the Vitruvian-class vessel. The aim is to reach shipyard-ready status. This would be the world's largest such vessel.

 

The Capability Gap

 

The vessel addresses a looming industry challenge. The companies describe a capability gap. This concerns the offshore wind sector. Next-generation turbines will require larger foundations. These will strain existing vessel capabilities.

The scale of the challenge is significant. Next-generation turbines could reach 20 to 30 MW. These could enter service by 2030. Their monopiles could reach 130 metres in length. They could weigh up to 5,000 tonnes.

 

Exceeding the Current Ceiling

 

The vessel breaks existing capacity limits. No current vessel can handle such monopiles. The current ceiling is around 3,000 to 3,500 tonnes. The Vitruvian-class exceeds this barrier. It is engineered for the larger foundations.

The vessel is substantial in scale. It measures 179 metres in length. Its beam is 75 metres. This size supports its heavy-lift role. The companies call it a transformative step up in capability.

 

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The Innovative System

 

The vessel uses a novel handling system. Offshoretronic developed the concept over several years. It features a unique tilting and lifting beam. This combines with a roll-on concept. This handles the size and weight of monopiles.

The system offers distinct advantages. It avoids the need for an offshore crane. Other conventional tools are also unnecessary. This includes pile grippers and spreader beams. The company believes this reduces build costs significantly.

 

The Cost Advantage

 

The design promises notable savings. It could be up to 40 percent cheaper to build. This compares with a conventional jack-up vessel. The comparison assumes the same capacity. This cost advantage strengthens its appeal.

Commercial viability is central to the design. Leadership stressed balancing capex and opex. This covers the vessel's full lifecycle. The design targets worldwide operations. It is positioned for use well into the next decade.

 

The Broader Range

 

The design extends beyond monopiles. A turbine installation version will complete the range. This will handle wind turbine components. It will manage towers and nacelles. The huge blades of next-generation turbines are also included.

This broadens the concept's applications. It addresses multiple installation needs. Both foundations and turbines are covered. This creates a comprehensive range. It positions the design for the next era of offshore wind.