Showing posts with label Denmark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Denmark. Show all posts

Cadeler Buys Wind Keeper Vessel for Offshore Wind Ops

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Cadeler Acquires Wind Keeper Vessel to Expand Offshore Wind O&M Capabilities

Cadeler is powering up for the next phase of offshore wind expansion. The Danish installation specialist has announced its acquisition of the Boqiang 3060 jack-up vessel—soon to be christened the Wind Keeper—marking a strategic push into operations & maintenance (O&M) support for large-scale offshore wind farms.

New Flagship for Cadeler: Wind Keeper Joins the Fleet

Built in 2025 by Shanghai Boqiang Heavy Industry Group, the Wind Keeper is fitted with top-tier European systems designed for O&M operations in some of the world’s most demanding maritime environments. Cadeler expects to take delivery in the third quarter of 2025.

Vessel Specifications and Key Technology Highlights

Crane, Propulsion, and Positioning Systems

  • Crane: Huisman 2,200-tonne lifting capacity
  • Dynamic Positioning: Kongsberg DP2 system
  • Engines: MAN
  • Propulsion: Siemens

Jack-Up Capability for Harsh Offshore Environments

Wind Keeper features 120-meter jack-up legs, enabling stable positioning even in challenging offshore wind farm sites. This makes it ideally suited for O&M support and future-proofed installations in the 15 MW segment.

Strategic Role in Offshore O&M Market Expansion

With global offshore wind capacity surging, particularly in Europe and Asia-Pacific, the need for robust O&M infrastructure has never been greater. Wind Keeper addresses this demand head-on with high load, lift, and station-keeping performance, alongside modular upgrade potential.

Delivery Timeline, Upgrade Plans, and Fleet Synergies

Although the purchase price was not disclosed, Cadeler confirmed it was “significantly below replacement cost.” The vessel will undergo upgrades post-delivery to align with Cadeler’s fleet standards and integrate seamlessly into existing O&M and installation contracts.

CEO Insight: Supporting the 15 MW Era of Wind Installations

“As an installation-capable, service-oriented asset, the Wind Keeper will be a valuable addition to our fleet,” said Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler. “She complements our existing vessel portfolio and allows us to provide much-needed service support to our clients’ offshore assets.”

Conclusion: Wind Keeper Positions Cadeler for O&M Leadership

The acquisition of Wind Keeper is more than fleet expansion—it’s a forward-looking investment in offshore wind’s maintenance backbone. As turbine sizes grow and global demand for uptime soars, Cadeler’s move cements its role as a reliable partner in the wind energy lifecycle.

Danish Navy Gets $133M Boost for ESSM Missiles

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Denmark Accelerates ESSM Block 2 Missile Procurement to Strengthen Naval Defense

Amid rising geopolitical tensions and evolving threat landscapes, Denmark is doubling down on its naval defense. The Ministry of Defense has fast-tracked the acquisition of Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM) Block 2 for its frigates, with an infusion of DKK 880 million ($133 million) from the government’s Acceleration Fund.

Acceleration Fund Enables Fast-Tracked Delivery of ESSM Block 2 Missiles

The new allocation brings forward the delivery of ESSMs already approved under earlier defense agreements. It also adds new orders, including critical support infrastructure. These efforts are aimed at reinforcing the Royal Danish Navy’s ability to engage aerial and sea-based threats swiftly and effectively.

Combat Readiness the Priority for Danish Navy’s Frigates

Multi-Domain Threat Response: Air, Sea, and Land

“The Navy’s frigates must be ready to resist threats on land, at sea and in the air,” said Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen. “We are allocating funds to purchase more ESSM air defense missiles and acquire them faster, so that the Armed Forces’ combat power is increased, and the frigates can better defend themselves against threats such as enemy aircraft, drones and missiles.”

Defense Agreement 2024–2033: Long-Term Naval Modernization Framework

Budget Commitments and Strategic Allocation

The ESSM upgrade is part of Denmark’s broader Defense Agreement 2024–2033, which allocates DKK 50 billion (~$7.6 billion) over the next decade. DKK 25 billion has been front-loaded into 2025 and 2026 via the Acceleration Fund to address urgent procurement needs and elevate readiness across all branches.

Future Naval Strategy: New Equipment, Infrastructure, and Fleet Expansion

In April 2025, Poulsen also unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform Denmark’s maritime forces through vessel modernization, additional procurement cycles, and long-term investment in fleet infrastructure. The ESSM Block 2 delivery serves as a near-term bridge to those broader goals.

Conclusion: Denmark’s Naval Edge Ramps Up Ahead of 2030s Horizon

With the acquisition of advanced missile systems and a clear strategic trajectory, Denmark is reinforcing its commitment to secure maritime sovereignty and support NATO interoperability. As threats evolve, the readiness and resilience of Denmark’s navy continue to scale to meet the moment.