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Van Oord's cutting-edge cable-laying vessel (CLV), Calypso, is gearing up for its first major assignment, having picked up inter-array cables bound for the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm in the UK—one of the largest offshore wind projects globally, led by RWE.
Calypso, the second CLV in Van Oord’s fleet, is primarily designed for the installation of inter-array and export cables for offshore wind projects. The vessel features two cable carousels, allowing it to lay two cables simultaneously, enhancing its efficiency on large-scale projects.
Equipped with hybrid engines that are ready for future e-fuels and capable of operating on biofuel, Calypso demonstrates Van Oord’s commitment to sustainability. The vessel also boasts a large battery pack, shore power connection, and an advanced energy management system to optimize its environmental performance.
Delivered by shipbuilder VARD on August 29, 2023, the vessel was christened in Rotterdam a few days later. On September 11, Van Oord confirmed that Calypso was fully loaded with cables at the UK’s Port of Blyth, marking the start of its debut at the 1.4 GW Sofia offshore wind farm—RWE’s largest offshore wind project to date.
Under a 2021 contract, Van Oord is tasked with the design, engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) of monopile foundations and inter-array cables for the wind farm. In addition to Calypso, Van Oord’s offshore wind installation vessel, Aeolus, and the special service support vessel (SSSV) Baltic Explorer, are also actively involved in the project.
