First Jones Act WTIV to be ABS Class

Now under construction by Keppel AmFELS, which is also undertaking the engineering and procurement for Dominion Energy, the 472-foot vessel is designed by GustoMSC to handle turbine sizes of 12 megawatt or larger and will also be capable of the installation of foundations for turbines and other heavy lifts.

Matt Tremblay, ABS senior vice president, global offshore, said that ABS was the ideal partner for a wind turbine installation vessel for the US market. “Our extensive knowledge of US 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 US wind farms,” he said.

To be named Charybdis, the vessel will have accommodation for up to 119 crew and wind farm technicians. Seajacks will assist Dominion Energy with construction and operations oversight.

The Charybdis is just the latest vessel for the US offshore wind industry to be supported by ABS. The first US flagged Jones Act offshore wind farm service operation vessel (SOV) ever ordered will be built to ABS Class. ABS has also issued approval in principle for two Jones Act SOVs to Vard and for a series of other wind support vessels from European designers.