Offshore wind installation specialist Cadeler has committed to a major shipbuilding program, signing firm contracts with COSCO Shipping Offshore at its Qidong, China facility for two new foundation installation vessels valued at approximately $929 million, or roughly €805 million.

Two New T-Class Vessels Ordered

The agreement covers a pair of what Cadeler designates as T-class wind installation vessels, purpose-built for offshore wind foundation work. The contracts are structured as firm orders with COSCO Shipping Offshore, one of China's leading offshore vessel constructors operating out of the Qidong shipyard. The combined contract value of approximately $929 million represents a substantial capital commitment for Cadeler as it moves to expand its specialized installation fleet.

Delivery Timeline Extends to 2030 and 2031

Under the terms of the agreements, COSCO is scheduled to deliver the first of the two vessels in 2030, with the second following in 2031. The staggered delivery schedule gives Cadeler time to arrange deployment contracts and integrate the new tonnage into its broader operational planning. Foundation installation vessels of this class are among the most capital-intensive assets in the offshore wind supply chain, designed to handle the increasingly large monopiles and jacket structures associated with next-generation wind farm developments.

Fleet Expansion Amid Growing Offshore Wind Demand

The order reflects broader trends in the offshore wind installation sector, where vessel supply has struggled to keep pace with accelerating project pipelines across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America. Specialized heavy-lift and foundation installation vessels remain a critical bottleneck, and operators such as Cadeler have been moving to secure newbuild capacity well in advance of anticipated demand. By locking in construction slots with COSCO Shipping Offshore now, Cadeler positions itself to serve offshore wind projects scheduled for construction later in the decade, when several major leasing rounds currently in development are expected to reach the installation phase.

The Qidong shipyard has established itself as a significant hub for offshore energy vessel construction, and COSCO Shipping Offshore's involvement underscores the continued role of Chinese shipbuilders in supplying the global offshore wind industry's growing appetite for specialized installation tonnage.