Jan De Nul Names Second Wind Turbine Installation Vessel

Jan De Nul has officially named its newest offshore installation vessel, Taillevent, in the Belgian port of Ostend.

On 18 July 2018, Jan De Nul acquired this offshore installation vessel, at that time MPI Discovery, from the Dutch company Vroon Group.

The 2011-built Taillevent is designed specifically for the transport and installation of offshore wind turbines and their foundations.

The vessel is equipped with six spuds to lift the vessel out of the water in order to be able to work in stable conditions. The Taillevent is 140 metres long and can operate in up to 40 metres of water depth. Furthermore, this installation vessel has an on-board crane with a lifting capacity of 1,000 tonnes and an auxiliary crane of 50 tonnes.

Bart Tommelein, Flemish Vice Minister-President of the Flemish Government, Flemish Minister for Budget, Finances and Energy, said: “The offshore sector is important for our Belgian economy. Thousands of jobs derive directly or indirectly from the construction and maintenance of offshore wind turbines. Not only in our country, but also worldwide. I am happy to welcome the Taillevent of Jan De Nul Group as a new asset in our switch to renewable energy.”

Taillevent has already completed its first offshore wind project under Jan De Nul’s operatorship on the Wikinger offshore wind farm in the German Baltic Sea.

Philippe Hutse, Offshore Director at Jan De Nul Group, said: “We have been investing a lot in staff, expertise and equipment for our offshore activities. In 2015, we acquired the Vole au vent, and this summer the Taillevent; both specialized vessels for the installation of offshore wind farms. Meanwhile our newbuilding department works on more fleet expansion plans. These investments are key for Jan De Nul Group’s growth.”

Jan De Nul has executed several offshore wind projects in Belgium, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Germany. Last spring, Jan De Nul secured its first offshore wind projects outside Europe: the design and installation of the offshore wind parks Changhua and Formosa 1 Phase 2, the very first offshore wind farms in Taiwan.

In 2019, Jan De Nul will commence with the installation of the Northwester 2 wind farm with 23 turbines of 9.5MW each, the largest offshore wind turbines in the world.

Peter De Pooter, Manager Offshore Renewables at Jan De Nul Group, said: “The Taillevent is complementary to our Vole au vent and will enable us to further develop and expand our offshore wind expertise. Having two offshore installation vessels in our fleet, we can serve the industry better and respond more quickly to needs. We already executed a number of comprehensive wind projects in Europe and look ahead with confidence and enthusiasm.”

Photos: Jan De Nul