The first wind turbine installation vessel that complies with the Jones Act is now undergoing sea trials
Posted on Feb 26, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Shipbuilder Seatrium states that Charybdis, the first wind turbine installation vessel for Dominion Energy, is almost finished. As it goes through trials, the company's AmFELS shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, revealed the first images of the ship.
According to Seastrium, “Charybdis is 96 per cent completed and complies with U.S. Jones Act regulations, allowing it to operate seamlessly in U.S. waters for domestic offshore wind projects. One of the largest WTIVs of its kind globally, the Charybdis is designed to handle current and next-generation wind turbines up to 12 megawatts or larger.”
The Seatrium's Function in the Ship's Evolution
In a recent report, Dominion Energy stated that the ship was going through its testing in preparation for commissioning. Seatrium said it just finished testing the main crane's load and conducting a jacking exercise. Sea testing for the ship has also started.
The dimensions of this structure are 472 feet by 184 feet by 38 feet, and it has a 426-foot crane that can lift 2,200 tonnes. Up to 119 people can be accommodated there.
Moreover, the ship's construction started in December 2020, and it was launched in April 2024. The delivery deadline was previously said to be late 2023, but the firms have now retracted their claims, stating that it is still on track to arrive in 2025.
Work at Dominion Energy's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project seems to start later this year and continue until the wind farm is completed, which is anticipated to happen by the end of 2026.
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Pioneering Domestic Construction
The vessel's cost has increased dramatically since it is the first of its kind in the United States and was built domestically to satisfy Jones Act regulations.
It was initially estimated to cost between $500 and $500 million, but the business later revised the estimate to $625 million. The business informed investors in August 2024 that the most recent projected expenses, including financing, were $715
million.
Even though the project and the vessel are now more expensive, Dominion Energy is still promoting offshore wind and the improvements it will bring to operations.
Despite recent increases in transmission line prices, the business claims that the total project for the offshore construction is still under budget. It said that the installation was on pace and had exceeded the 50% offshore milestone.
Eventually, the U.S. offshore wind energy industry will likely stagnate throughout the Trump second term, except for a few projects that are currently allowed.
Being the first U.S. vessel, it will be well-positioned for domestic installation projects and is probably going to make its way into the international market, where there is still a shortage of big install vessels.
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