‘Largest subsea rock installation vessel in industry’ to join Boskalis’ fleet in 2026

Dutch offshore services provider Boskalis is set to welcome a new subsea rock installation (SRI) vessel to its fleet in 2026, described by the company as the largest such vessel in the industry.

The vessel, named Windpiper, is being developed by converting an existing new vessel under the supervision of Boskalis. It will be 227 meters long and 40 meters wide, featuring a total installed power exceeding 31,000 kW and a cargo capacity of 45,500 metric tons.

Described as the largest SRI vessel in the industry, Boskalis said it would double its capacity, thereby becoming the largest player in the industry.

Windpiper is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2026, with its first offshore wind projects expected to be in Northwest Europe. 

In addition to a moonpool for fall pipe installation, the vessel will feature an inclined fall pipe for the protection of offshore structures such as the foundations of offshore wind turbines. According to Boskalis, the vessel is designed for optimal performance in challenging offshore conditions and is equipped with seven thrusters and DP2 certification.

It will feature over a hundred of single-occupancy cabins.

It is worth noting that last year Boskalis outfitted the new SRI vessel Seapiper with a new inclined fallpipe with the aim of expanding its range and expanded its fleet with the addition of a DP2 vessel, described as enourmously multifunctional, for offshore geophysical and geotechnical surveys.