The 175-meter Boreas, the world’s largest and most eco-friendly vessel of its kind, features dual-fuel methanol engines, reducing CO₂ emissions by over 78%. Equipped with a 3,000-tonne crane, a battery pack, and advanced NOx reduction systems, it is designed for next-generation offshore wind projects. Govert van Oord, chief executive, stated: “The Boreas is the largest investment in our company’s history, a testament to our ambition to remain a frontrunner in offshore wind, accelerate the energy transition and perform our work responsibly.”
After the christening, Boreas will head to its first project at the 1.6GW Nordseecluster in the German North Sea, a joint venture between RWE and Norges Bank Investment Management. Van Oord will install 104 extended monopiles and scour protection, supporting the region’s renewable energy goals.
Van Oord also became the first in its sector to receive Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) approval for its 1.5°C-aligned climate strategy on June 1, 2025. The company submitted its fleet-related targets in May 2023, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s stringent climate pathway. Govert van Oord noted: “This approval reflects both our commitment to decarbonise our operations and our desire to increase system-wide collaboration. We recognise we cannot do this alone. Reaching net-zero requires close cooperation across our entire value chain.”
Capable of installing wind turbines over 20MW and 300 meters tall, Boreas positions Van Oord to tackle future offshore wind challenges. Operating in over 40 countries with a workforce of more than 6,000 and a fleet of 60 vessels, Van Oord continues to lead in marine and renewable energy projects globally.
