KfW IPEX-Bank and Export Development Canada (EDC) are providing financing for two new subsea rock installation vessels for CSL OWL SRI B.V., a marine contractor based in the Netherlands that specializes in subsea rock installation services. The vessels are designed primarily for use in the offshore wind industry.
Each vessel will have a cargo capacity of 17,500 metric tons and be equipped with DP2 dynamic positioning systems. They will be able to install rock material in water depths up to 100 meters and handle individual stones weighing up to 450 kilograms. The rocks are placed on the seabed through a fall pipe with active motion compensation, serving to secure the foundations of wind turbine structures and protect underwater cables from currents and mechanical damage.
The equipment for the vessels will be designed and sourced from the Netherlands. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in August and November 2026. Both ships will be able to operate entirely on methanol from the time of delivery, allowing for zero emission operations.
Aida Welker, Member of the Management Board of KfW IPEX-Bank, said: "Offshore wind farms are one of the key elements of the energy transition. However, the protection of underwater infrastructure is also becoming increasingly important. We are very pleased to support CSL OWL SRI B.V. in its investment in these important specialised vessels and thus make a further contribution to a functioning offshore wind industry."