ABS to class first US wind turbine installation vessel

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) will class the first Jones Act compliant wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) that will service the U.S. offshore wind sector.

The 472-foot Charybdis, designed by GustoMSC, is being constructed by Keppel AmFELS at its Brownsville shipyard in Texas.

The vessel will be equipped to handle all current turbine technologies, as well as next-generation turbines with a capacity of 12 MW and more.

Dominion Energy’s jack-up will accommodate up to 119 people, a 2,200-t main crane, and an 11,500t carrying capacity.

“ABS is the ideal partner for a highly specialized wind turbine installation vessel such as this for the U.S. market. Our extensive knowledge of U.S. regulations combined with offshore industry leadership means we are uniquely equipped to support this project and a range of other innovative vessels now being commissioned for U.S. wind farms,” said Matt Tremblay, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Offshore.

Charybdis is expected to be available to support turbine installation by the end of 2023.