Splash247 Cadeler locks in $245m charter for newest turbine installation unit

Denmark-based offshore wind vessel player Cadeler has taken early delivery of the newbuild jackup vessel and secured the units’ first long-term contract — a €210m ($245m) deal with turbine maker Vestas.

The BW Group and Scorpio-backed shipowner acquired the vessel from China’s Shanghai Boqiang Heavy Industry Group earlier this year and renamed it Wind Keeper.

The three-year firm contract with Vestas begins in early 2026 and includes optional extensions totalling 2.5 years. If fully exercised, the deal could reach a value of over €380m.

The vessel will support both transport and installation (T&I) and operations and maintenance (O&M) work across current and future Vestas offshore wind projects in Europe.

Before entering service, the vessel will undergo upgrades in Europe to align with Cadeler’s fleet standards, including seafastening for Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines and additional modifications for 15 MW-class installations.

“This first contract for Wind Keeper is exactly why we made the strategic decision to acquire her. We see increasing demand in Europe for flexible, high-performance vessels that can support both O&M and installation scopes, and she fits that profile perfectly,” said Cadeler CEO Mikkel Gleerup.

The company now operates eight vessels, with another four newbuilds under construction.