Cadeler's 'Wind Ace' Cements Lead in High-Stakes Offshore Wind Race

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – July 17, 2026 – In a move that reinforces its dominance in the global offshore wind sector, Cadeler A/S today announced the successful delivery of Wind Ace, its eleventh and newest wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV). Arriving on schedule and within budget from the COSCO shipyard in China, the vessel is more than just another addition to the fleet; it represents a critical piece of hardware in an industry grappling with a severe shortage of specialized ships capable of building the next generation of mega-projects.

As nations accelerate their transition to renewable energy, the sheer size of new offshore wind turbines and their foundations is outpacing the capabilities of the existing installation fleet. The delivery of Wind Ace is a tangible response to this bottleneck, positioning Cadeler to capitalize on a seller's market and execute some of the world's most ambitious green energy projects.

A New Class of Heavy-Lift Titans

Wind Ace is the second of Cadeler’s highly anticipated A-class vessels, a series designed from the keel up to meet the demands of an industry defined by massive scale. These ships are purpose-built to handle both XXL monopile foundations and the colossal next-generation turbines, some of which are now reaching 20 MW in capacity. With a payload capacity exceeding 17,600 tonnes and a deck space of 5,600 square meters, Wind Ace can transport up to seven complete 15 MW turbine sets or six 2XL monopile foundations in a single voyage. This capacity drastically reduces the number of costly and time-consuming transits to and from port, directly improving project economics.

A key innovation of the A-class is its hybrid design, which allows for a remarkably swift conversion from foundation installation to turbine installation. This flexibility provides project developers with a versatile, full-scope solution from a single partner, a significant advantage in coordinating complex offshore construction schedules. The vessel's main crane boasts a lifting capacity well over 3,000 tonnes, essential for hoisting the immense components that will power the future.

The successful construction, which spanned two years, was completed with an exemplary safety record, achieving over 3.5 million working hours without any lost time incidents. This underscores a level of operational excellence crucial for clients undertaking multi-billion-dollar energy infrastructure investments.

Powering Britain's Green Ambitions

There will be no lengthy shakedown cruise for Wind Ace. Following its mobilization, the vessel is slated for immediate deployment on ScottishPower Renewables' East Anglia TWO project in the UK North Sea. This 960 MW offshore wind farm is a cornerstone of the UK's renewable energy strategy and, once operational, will generate enough clean electricity to power the equivalent of nearly one million homes.

Cadeler's role in the project is comprehensive. Under firm contracts announced in 2024, the company will manage the full-scope transportation and installation of all 64 wind turbines and their foundations. Wind Ace will work alongside one of Cadeler's existing O-class vessels when offshore work commences in 2027, showcasing the company's ability to deploy multiple assets on a single, large-scale project. The close partnership between the two companies was highlighted earlier this year when Lisa Western of ScottishPower Renewables was named the vessel's godmother, a traditional maritime honor signifying a deep and collaborative relationship.

A Strategic Fleet for a Seller's Market

The delivery of Wind Ace is a pivotal moment in Cadeler's broader strategy to build what it calls the industry's “largest and most capable fleet.” This expansion is a direct and aggressive response to a well-documented supply-demand imbalance for high-specification installation vessels that became an acute operational challenge for the industry in 2025. With demand projected to outstrip supply through the end of the decade, vessel operators with modern, capable fleets hold significant pricing power.

Cadeler's CEO, Mikkel Gleerup, commented on the vessel's strategic importance: "The delivery of Wind Ace marks another important step in our long-term strategy to build the industry's most capable and versatile fleet. As turbines and foundations grow larger and projects become more complex, our clients need full-scope installation partners with the capabilities to deliver safely and reliably."

While competitors like Jan De Nul with its Voltaire and Van Oord with its methanol-powered Boreas also operate state-of-the-art vessels, Cadeler's focus on fleet size and flexibility sets it apart. The company's fleet has doubled in just over a year, and a third A-class vessel, Wind Apex, is scheduled for delivery in early 2027. Further investments are already planned for two new T-class vessels for delivery in 2030 and 2031, funded in part by a recent €175 million private placement.

This strategic expansion is underpinned by robust financial health. Cadeler reported a near-doubling of revenue to €125 million in Q1 2026 compared to the previous year and maintains a massive order backlog of €2.7 billion. This provides strong revenue visibility and has earned the company a "Strong Buy" rating from analysts, who see its fleet growth as a primary driver for significant gains in a capacity-constrained market.