Great Lakes Dredge & Dock’s Offshore Wind Vessel ‘Acadia’ Awarded Third Contract

Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation has announced a third rock installation contract for its newbuild subsea rock installation vessel Acardia, demonstrating continued demand for specialized offshore wind vessels despite the challenges faced by the industry.

The Acadia is the first Jones Act compliant subsea rock installation vessel and is currently under construction at the Philly Shipyard in the U.S.

The scope of the project includes procuring rock from domestic quarries, transportation to and from the project site, and subsea installation to support the wind farm’s infrastructure. Operations are expected to commence in 2025 and continue into 2026.

“This project award further confirms Great Lakes’ ambition and leadership to support the emerging U.S. offshore wind industry and we look forward to expanding our participation in this market over the coming years,” said Lasse Petterson, President and Chief Executive Officer at Great Lakes

Eleni Beyko, Senior Vice President, Offshore Wind at Great Lakes, highlighted the significance of this award in solidifying Great Lakes’ entry into the U.S. offshore wind market.

“We are pleased to support the United States in building a more sustainable future and to continue to mature and enable our U.S. rock supply chains. Our goal remains to contribute to building the U.S. offshore wind industry, while creating local employment and U.S. economic activity,” said Beyko.

It is important to note that the project is subject to the client’s final investment decision (FID).

This new contract follows Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation’s previous contracts for the Acadia, including subsea rock installation work for Equinor and BP’s Empire Wind I and II wind farms, as well as providing scour protection for offshore wind turbine foundations. The rock used for these projects will be quarried in New York State and transported to the quayside on the Hudson River before being loaded onto the Acadia.

GLDD ordered the Jones Act compliant Acadia in 2021, marking Houston-based dredging company’s entry into the offshore wind market. The vessel is designed to transport and deposit up to 20,000 metric tons of rock on the ocean floor, laying the foundation for wind turbine monopiles. Delivery is planned in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Despite the challenges faced by the U.S. offshore wind industry, such as rising costs, high interest rates, inflation, and insufficient subsidies, there are still positive developments in the industry. Recently, the South Fork Wind project off the coast of Long Island, New York, saw the installation of the first commercial-scale offshore wind turbine, showcasing the domestic industry’s progress despite these challenges.

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