Boskalis’ cable-laying vessel, the BOKA Ocean, has embarked on its latest mission to support Ørsted’s Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm in the German North Sea. This state-of-the-art vessel, the newest in Boskalis’ fleet, is equipped with a carousel capable of storing over 40 kilometers of inter-array cable, crucial for connecting the wind turbines at the site.
The BOKA Ocean’s current deployment involves installing 32 pieces of cable, each essential for linking the turbines in the 913 megawatt (MW) offshore wind farm. Given the scale of the project, these 32 cables represent just a portion of what is needed. The wind farm’s extensive infrastructure necessitates a multi-phase approach to cable installation.
Earlier this year, the BOKA Ocean completed its first campaign, successfully laying 24 cables. This initial phase was an important milestone, but it was only the beginning of a larger project. Later this year, the vessel will return for a third campaign, during which it will lay an additional 15 cables, further advancing the wind farm’s development.
The BOKA Ocean’s involvement in the Borkum Riffgrund 3 project underscores its critical role in advancing offshore wind energy. The vessel’s advanced cable-laying capabilities and significant storage capacity make it a vital asset for large-scale wind farm installations. As the industry moves towards greater investments in renewable energy, projects like Borkum Riffgrund 3 highlight the growing importance of sophisticated maritime technology in achieving sustainability goals.
