Image: heerema
The semi-submersible crane vessel Thialf has turned heads in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, as it prepares to support the installation of Equinor’s Empire Wind offshore wind farm.
Locals watched in awe as Thialf, the second-largest vessel of her kind, arrived on May 26, anchoring between Jamestown and Newport. The giant offshore installation vessel drew widespread attention, both for its sheer size—standing 470 feet tall—and its significance in the U.S. energy transition. Social media lit up as opponents of offshore wind labeled it the “death star,” a nod to Star Wars. Meanwhile, industry watchers saw Thialf’s presence as a major step forward for Empire Wind’s offshore work.
Equinor, the project developer, confirmed that Thialf is currently on a short layover in Rhode Island. The vessel is conducting a crew change and taking on specialized teams before heading offshore to the Empire Wind project site, located south of Long Island. The Jamestown Harbormaster also confirmed these details to local media.
Originally commissioned in 1985, Thialf held the title of the world’s largest floating crane vessel until 2019, when Heerema Marine Contractors introduced the Sleipnir. Despite its age, Thialf remains a powerful asset, boasting a lifting capacity of 14,200 metric tons. While historically used in the oil and gas sector, Thialf has increasingly been involved in offshore wind projects, reflecting the global shift towards renewable energy.
The Empire Wind project has faced its share of political and logistical hurdles. Just a week before Thialf’s arrival, the Trump administration lifted a months-long stop work order on the project, allowing offshore work to proceed. Equinor reported that the project was already 30% complete, with onshore activities ongoing. Offshore construction is scheduled to continue through this year, aiming for completion by 2027.
Thialf will focus on installing monopiles for the 54 planned wind turbines at Empire Wind, as well as laying the foundations for the offshore substation. The first monopile for Empire Wind was completed in November 2024, while Dutch fabricator Sif shipped the first six foundations from Rotterdam to New York in April.
According to Equinor, the wind turbine components will be staged at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. From there, tugs and barges provided by Crowley will transport the components to the offshore site. The turbine installation will be handled by Maersk Offshore using its newly built wind turbine installation vessel.
Empire Wind’s target is to deliver first power in 2026, with a projected capacity of 810 MW upon completion.
Source: marine executive
