First US WTIV “Charybdis” Arrives in Virginia for Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project

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The United States has reached a milestone in its offshore wind ambitions as the Charybdis, the nation’s first Jones Act-compliant Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV), has arrived at Portsmouth Port, Virginia, ready to begin operations at the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project.

The Charybdis, commissioned by Dominion Energy, entered Portsmouth Port on 17 September, according to vessel tracking data. Built in the US and designed for heavy offshore construction, the vessel’s arrival signals the start of turbine installation at the 2.6 GW CVOW project, one of the largest offshore wind developments in the country.

At 472 feet long (around 144 metres) and 184 feet wide (56 metres), the Charybdis is equipped with a 426-foot (130-metre) crane capable of lifting up to 2,200 tonnes. It can accommodate up to 119 crew members, making it a self-sustaining offshore construction base. Earlier this year, the vessel completed a series of sea trials before heading to Virginia.

Engineered to handle today’s largest offshore turbines—12 MW and beyond—the WTIV will play a central role in installing the next generation of wind technology. The vessel’s specifications align with industry trends toward larger, more efficient turbines that reduce the number of foundations and installation campaigns needed per project.

The Charybdis will soon begin turbine installation work in the western section of the CVOW lease area, located approximately 43 kilometres off Virginia Beach. Once complete, the project will feature 176 Siemens Gamesa 14 MW turbines capable of generating renewable energy for roughly 660,000 homes, according to the developer.

The CVOW project marks a significant moment not only for the state of Virginia but also for the U.S. offshore wind supply chain. The vessel’s compliance with the Jones Act—a law requiring that goods transported between U.S. ports be carried on U.S.-built and U.S.-crewed vessels—underscores efforts to develop a domestic offshore wind industry capable of supporting future large-scale developments across the Atlantic seaboard.