During WindEnergy Hamburg, Van Oord officially revealed the names of its two next-generation flexible fallpipe vessels: Vindnes and Vestnes. Scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029, the purpose-built vessels will strengthen Van Oord’s subsea rock installation capabilities and support the continued growth of offshore wind, interconnector and critical energy infrastructure projects worldwide.
The names Vindnes and Vestnes continue the naming tradition of Van Oord’s subsea rock installation fleet, complementing existing vessels such as Nordnes, Stornes and Bravenes. Inspired by wind and the west, the names reflect both the fleet’s maritime character and the future of offshore energy. They symbolise the connection between Van Oord’s longstanding expertise in seabed intervention and its continued commitment to supporting the energy transition.
Unlike many recent market additions developed through vessel conversions, Vindnes and Vestnes have been designed from the keel up as dedicated subsea rock installation vessels. This purpose-built approach enables Van Oord to incorporate the latest lessons learned from decades of operations, resulting in enhanced safety, operational efficiency, installation performance and future fuel flexibility.
With a loading capacity of 35,000 tonnes, Vindnes and Vestnes have been optimised to deliver maximum project productivity while minimising environmental impact. Rather than focusing solely on vessel size, the design balances carrying capacity, installation rates, fuel efficiency and offshore workability to reduce the total cost and emissions per tonne of rock installed. Advanced automation, smart sensors and a DP2 positioning system enable highly accurate rock placement, while multi-fuel engines, battery storage and an energy-efficient design contribute to lower-emission operations.
Vindnes and Vestnes are currently being constructed by Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore in China. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in 2028, followed by the second in 2029. Together, they will help Van Oord meet the offshore challenges of the future and further strengthen its position in subsea rock installation.
As offshore wind farms move further from shore and increase in scale, demand for reliable seabed intervention solutions continues to grow. Subsea rock installation, pioneered by Van Oord since the 1970s, is vital for protecting and stabilising offshore energy infrastructure. Building on more than 50 years of operational experience and the industry’s most extensive dedicated flexible fallpipe fleet, Van Oord continues to set the benchmark in seabed intervention.