Boskalis debuts world's largest rock installation vessel
The new Windpiper carries 45,500 tonnes of rock, roughly doubling Boskalis' subsea rock installation capacity for offshore wind.
Boskalis has put the world's largest subsea rock installation vessel into service, sharply raising its capacity in a key offshore-wind support market. The Dutch marine contractor's new Windpiper has a rock-carrying capacity of 45,500 tonnes, the largest in the industry. First announced in January 2025, the vessel roughly doubles Boskalis' subsea rock installation capacity and makes it the biggest player in the niche.
The 227 m long, 40 m wide DP2 ship was created by converting an existing newbuild under Boskalis' supervision. It has more than 31,000 kW of installed power and seven thrusters for station-keeping, plus a moonpool for fallpipe rock installation and an inclined fallpipe system for precise placement around subsea structures.
It is built for scour protection around wind-turbine foundations, cable protection and other seabed infrastructure - work that is growing as offshore wind moves into deeper water and harsher conditions, where larger vessels cut port calls and improve accuracy.
Source: Splash247; Boskalis.
