Van Oord’s latest cable-laying vessel, Calypso, has officially joined the company’s offshore wind fleet and is already making waves. The vessel embarked on its maiden project at the prestigious Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, located off the coast of the UK. This project marks a significant milestone for both Van Oord and the broader offshore wind industry.
The Calypso is Van Oord’s second cable-laying vessel, following the Nexus, and was custom-built to meet the growing demands of the offshore wind sector. With the global push toward renewable energy, this vessel represents a strategic investment in the energy transition. The Calypso has been designed specifically for laying inter-array and export cables for offshore wind farms worldwide, including high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables—an essential component in large-scale wind projects like Sofia.
What makes the Calypso stand out is its cutting-edge technology. The vessel is equipped with two cable carousels—one on deck and one below—giving it an impressive 8,000 tonnes of cable-carrying capacity. This dual carousel system allows the vessel to lay two HVDC cables simultaneously, streamlining the installation process. Furthermore, the Calypso operates with a focus on sustainability, featuring hybrid engines that can run on biofuel and are prepared to handle future e-fuels. It also includes a large battery pack, a shore power connection, and an advanced energy management system—all of which contribute to reducing its carbon footprint.
Arnoud Kuis, Managing Director Offshore Energy at Van Oord, expressed his excitement: “With the Calypso now operational, we have significantly strengthened our cable installation fleet. This milestone reflects our commitment to continuously reinforcing our leading position in the market by investing in sustainable technology.”
The Calypso’s debut project, the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, is one of the largest wind farms under construction globally. Located on Dogger Bank in the central North Sea, 195 kilometers off the UK’s northeast coast, Sofia is set to generate 1.4 GW of power, enough to supply electricity to 1.2 million households. Van Oord has been contracted to handle the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation (EPCI) of monopile foundations and inter-array cables, with Calypso laying approximately 360 kilometers of cables.
This project is expected to be fully operational by 2026, further solidifying Van Oord’s role as a leader in the offshore wind industry and its commitment to driving forward the energy transition.
