Offshore wind newcomer orders second WTIV

Oslo-based Havfram Wind has exercised an option for a second wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) under its newbuilding contract with CIMC Raffles. The second unit, due for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2025, will be built to a similar GustoMSC NG20000X design as the first vessel, which is currently under construction at the Chinese yard.

The self-elevating platforms, equipped with cranes capable of lifting 3,250 tonnes, are designed to install turbines with a rotor diameter of more than 300m. They will also be able to position XXL monopiles at water depths of up to 70m.

Capacities have been optimised for the high variable deck loads and extreme lift heights expected during the decade ahead, the company said. With a power plant incorporating the latest battery hybrid drive train technology, the latest vessel will significantly cut emissions per installed megawatt of offshore wind capacity.

Havfram Wind CEO, Even Larsen, said: "The decision to order a second NG20000X jack-up vessel with CIMC Raffles is based on the good established cooperation with the shipyard and several commitments with major offshore wind developers. As previously announced, we have signed a contract with Ørsted to install wind turbines at their Hornsea 3 project, starting in autumn of 2026.

"Vattenfall has appointed us as preferred supplier for its Norfolk projects, starting in the spring of 2027," he continued. "Last week, we signed a preferred supplier agreement with RWE for turbine installation support for their Nordseecluster project, commencing in the summer of 2026."

Havfram´s offshore wind business was established in 2020 when subsea installation company Ocean Installer moved into the offshore wind sector. In December 2022, the company confirmed that it had successfully doubled USD 250 million of equity funding from Sandbrook Capital committed earlier in the year when Sandbrook partnered with Canada’s PSP Investments to make a similar equity commitment.