Korean builder Hanwha Ocean completes sea trials of next-generation wind turbine installation vessel
Hanwha Ocean has taken another decisive step into the offshore wind market, completing sea trials of its new wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV). The vessel returned successfully to the Geoje shipyard after a series of performance and safety verifications conducted under near-ideal weather conditions in early November.
In brief
Hanwha Ocean has successfully completed sea trials of a WTIV vessel for the installation of offshore wind turbines, and the ship has returned to the shipyard in Geoje. The tests covered propulsion systems, DP2 dynamic positioning, crane assemblies and platform stability in jack-up configuration, essential for installing turbines of 15 MW and larger. The vessel is to feature a main crane with a lifting capacity exceeding 2,000 tonnes and a hybrid propulsion system reducing CO2 emissions. Hanwha Ocean is fulfilling orders for the European operator Cadeler and developing its own WTIV programme for the Asian market.
According to industry sources, the vessel demonstrated excellent maneuverability and stability during the trials, confirming the efficiency of its DP2 dynamic positioning system and heavy-lift crane operations. Designed for the installation of the latest generation of offshore wind turbines — rated at 15 MW and beyond — the WTIV is among the most advanced vessels of its kind built in Asia.
Hanwha Ocean has not disclosed detailed specifications, but the vessel reportedly features a main crane with lifting capacity exceeding 2,000 tons, and a jack-up system capable of operating in deep waters. The design integrates hybrid propulsion and advanced power-management systems aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions in compliance with IMO decarbonization targets.
This project underlines Hanwha Ocean’s strategic move to diversify beyond LNG carriers and naval shipbuilding. Over the past two years, the company has secured multiple WTIV orders — including for Cadeler, a major European offshore wind contractor — and has formed alliances with Hyundai E&C to expand its offshore infrastructure capabilities.
- Sea trials mark the transition from design to operational readiness, commented a senior industry analyst in Busan. - With this vessel, Hanwha Ocean positions itself among a very select group of global yards capable of delivering complex offshore construction assets for the energy transition.
The successful completion of the sea trials strengthens Korea’s role in the rapidly expanding offshore wind supply chain. As projects in the Asia-Pacific region accelerate, Hanwha Ocean is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting the growing demand for large-scale WTIVs required for next-generation wind farms.
Source: Gazeta Morska · Compiled by: Kamil Kusier
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