Maersk Supply Service's new vessel contracted for Beacon Wind

Maersk Supply Service will install the wind turbines at the 1,230-MW Beacon Wind offshore wind farm in the US for a joint venture between Equinor ASA (NYSE:EQNR) and BP Plc (LON:BP), building on an earlier contract.

The subsidiary of Danish group AP Moller-Maersk A/S (CPH:MAERSK) said on Thursday it has been awarded a preferred supplier agreement for the project, whose installation is expected to begin in 2028.

In March this year, it was announced that Maersk Supply Service’s newly ordered Wind Installation Vessel (WIV) will install the turbines at the joint venture’s Empire Wind 1 and 2 offshore wind projects totalling more than 2 GW.

“With this new agreement, we have secured a stable start for our new Wind Installation Vessel,” said Jonas Munch Agerskov, chief commercial officer at Maersk Supply Service.

The vessel has been designed in-house by Maersk Supply Service. It works in combination with a new feeder method and is expected to be more efficient than conventional jack-up vessels. The WIV remains on site during the installation period, with the tugs and barges moving to and from the coast. Kirby Offshore Wind, a subsidiary of Kirby Corp (NYSE:KEX) will build and operate the feeder barges and tugs in compliance with the Jones Act, and will support the Beacon Wind deal by adding a third barge.

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!