Belgian marine contractor Jan De Nul has sealed a long-term deal with German utility RWE for two of its next-generation offshore wind installation vessels.
The deal covers the exclusive and long-term charter of the heavy lift vessel Les Alizés and the world’s largest jackup installation unit, Voltaire.
RWE said that both vessels can be used for its current and future offshore construction projects and, if needed, to run maintenance campaigns at its existing offshore wind fleet.
Voltaire has been fixed to RWE for more than four years, starting in 2027. Subject to the project’s final investment decision, the company plans to first use this vessel to install the turbines of its Hollandse Kust West VII wind farm off the Dutch coast. Les Alizés has been chartered for more than five years, with its first deployment at RWE’s Danish 1 GW offshore project Thor in 2025.
“This multi-year approach creates much-desired planning security for our state-of-the-art installation vessels and will allow safe and efficient installation of a large number of offshore wind farms,” said Philippe Hutse, CEO of Jan De Nul offshore energy.
Financial details surrounding the deal have not been disclosed. RWE said the charters are also supported by a service agreement through which Jan De Nul will provide both in-house and market solutions and services, to support and perform installation campaigns for RWE’s offshore wind projects.
Sven Utermöhlen, CEO at RWE offshore wind, added: “Through this strategic partnership, RWE has taken a big step in securing the necessary installation vessels and services to deliver our large-scale offshore wind farms Thor and Hollandse Kust West VII, as well as further projects to come. These kinds of agreements are exactly what we need against the backdrop of the challenging market situation.”
