
Van Oord’s ship is set to undergo an upgrade for Next-Generation Offshore Wind.
Van Oord’s heavy-lift installation vessel, Svanen, is slated for a significant upgrade.
This enhancement includes an extension of the gantry crane by 25 meters, positioning the vessel to efficiently manage the next generation of monopile foundations for offshore wind projects, among other improvements.
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The notable upgrade of extending the gantry crane makes Svanen one of the largest heavy-lift installation vessels globally. This eye-catching extension, weighing 1200 tonnes, will be executed by Holland Shipyards and installed with the assistance of a Mammoet crane towering at 200 meters.
The enhanced Svanen will embark on its inaugural project at the Baltic Power offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea. This wind farm will showcase the latest generation of wind turbines, boasting a generating capacity of 15MW. The Svanen has already played a pivotal role in numerous Baltic projects, including Kriegers Flak, Baltic 2, Arkona, and Baltic Eagle.
Thanks to the upgrade, the Svanen will possess the capability to install the foundations for these advanced wind turbines. Beyond its impressive lifting height and substantial capacity, the vessel’s low draught makes it particularly well-suited for operations in the Baltic Sea.
The Svanen has already played a pivotal role in numerous Baltic projects, including Kriegers Flak, Baltic 2, Arkona, and Baltic Eagle.

The modifications are scheduled to occur at various locations in the Netherlands, primarily in the Rotterdam area.
The Svanen boasts a remarkable history. Despite its initial design for bridge construction, the vessel has forged an extensive legacy in the offshore wind industry. In 2005, the onset of the energy transition marked the beginning of the Dutch offshore wind market, prompting the modification of the Svanen for the installation of monopiles and transition pieces.
Since then, the vessel has successfully installed over 700 monopiles and 223 transition pieces, adapting to yearly increases in dimensions and weight. In anticipation of this escalating scale, the Svanen underwent a significant upgrade in 2017 and is now set for another round of enhancements. Van Oord’s decision to upgrade an existing vessel like the Svanen and reuse much of its original construction and machinery aligns with its sustainability program, contributing to a reduction in waste and emissions.
You can read the source article on https://www.vanoord.com/
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