Cadeler has signed an €805 million firm contract with COSCO Shipping Offshore in China to build two advanced T-class offshore wind installation vessels, scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031. Engineered to be the largest and most capable vessels in the market, the new ships will support increasingly massive and technically demanding global clean energy projects. Backed by pre-secured equity financing and active client discussions, the investment reinforces Cadeler’s long-term leadership in the offshore wind sector.
Copenhagen, Denmark | August 10, 2026 – Global offshore wind installation leader Cadeler A/S has formally signed firm contracts with China’s COSCO Shipping Offshore shipyard in Qidong for the construction of two next-generation T-class offshore wind installation vessels. Valued at approximately EUR 805 million in aggregate, the landmark agreement marks a massive leap forward in heavy-lift vessel capability to support the rapidly escalating scale of future green energy projects.
Scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031, the upcoming T-class series is engineered to shatter current industry limits, positioning them as the largest and most capable vessels ever introduced to the offshore wind market.
Redefining Scale and Technical Specifications
As global wind turbine components and foundation sizes scale to unprecedented heights, energy developers require increasingly specialized assets to handle complex installation environments. The T-class design directly answers this challenge by incorporating breakthrough operational technologies that go far beyond existing fleet standards.
- Unmatched Capacity: Engineered to tackle complex, heavy-duty projects with heightened operational efficiency, safety, and versatility.
- Strategic Timing: Deliveries set for 2030 and 2031 align cleanly with the projected multi-gigawatt pipeline of major global offshore wind build-outs.
- Pre-secured Financing: Equity financing for the multi-million-euro project was successfully arranged earlier this year as part of Cadeler’s disciplined long-term capital allocation strategy.
Highlighting the strategic weight of the investment, Mikkel Gleerup, CEO of Cadeler, noted that the market’s trajectory demands absolute readiness for heavier, technically demanding builds:
“As offshore wind projects become larger and more technically demanding, developers need installation partners with the experience, specialised capabilities and modern fleet to deliver them safely and reliably. Our investment in the T-class reflects our commitment to staying ahead of future customer requirements, delivering best-in-class technical solutions and raising the bar for excellence in offshore wind installation.”
Gleerup also praised the ongoing alliance with the Chinese shipbuilder “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with COSCO Shipping Offshore shipyard, with whom we have built a strong and trusted working relationship over several years. Their understanding of our requirements and commitment to quality have made them a valued partner as we continue expanding our fleet.”
Strengthening Market Dominance
This latest order builds heavily on an already established framework of cooperation between Cadeler and COSCO Shipping Offshore, which has previously delivered several critical newbuilds for the company’s expanding fleet.
With the global push toward net-zero accelerating, Cadeler is wasting no time integrating these assets into its commercial pipeline. The company reports that it is already engaged in active discussions with key energy developers regarding the future deployment of the T-class vessels. As the pure-play operator continues to scale its jack-up and foundation installation capabilities, this €805 million investment cements its long-term competitive moat across key international markets.
About Cadeler
Cadeler A/S is a pure-play offshore wind installation partner and a global leader in offshore wind turbine transport and installation. The company owns and operates the industry’s largest fleet of jack-up offshore wind installation vessels and is expanding its capabilities into full-scope foundation transport and installation, as well as operations and maintenance. With its modern fleet and depth of expertise across both onshore and offshore operations, Cadeler supports the safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of offshore wind projects worldwide. Cadeler is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker: CDLR) and the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: CADLR).
Source: Cadeler