DEME to Install Foundations at Zeevonk Offshore Wind Farm

DEME to Install Foundations at Zeevonk Offshore Wind Farm

Belgian offshore contractor DEME has secured a significant contract to install the foundations for the first phase of the Zeevonk offshore wind farm in the Netherlands. The project is another major step in Europe's expanding offshore wind sector and reinforces the growing demand for specialized offshore installation vessels.

DEME has been selected to transport and install the foundations for the initial phase of the Zeevonk offshore wind farm, a large-scale renewable energy project being developed off the Dutch coast.

The wind farm is jointly owned by Vattenfall and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) through its Energy Transition Fund I. Once completed, Zeevonk is expected to deliver approximately 1 gigawatt (GW) of installed renewable energy capacity, contributing significantly to the Netherlands' clean energy ambitions.

The contract, valued at €150 million to €300 million (approximately US$170 million to US$340 million), covers a wide range of offshore construction activities. DEME will be responsible for transporting monopiles, providing marshalling services for primary and secondary steel components, installing 69 monopile foundations, and placing filter layers for scour protection around the structures.

The offshore wind farm will be located 63 to 84 kilometers off the Dutch coast near Bergen aan Zee, with offshore construction scheduled to begin in 2028, subject to a final investment decision.

To execute the project, DEME will deploy several vessels from its offshore fleet. The company's flagship installation vessel Orion will carry out the monopile installations, supported by a jack-up installation vessel for secondary steel works and a fallpipe vessel responsible for scour protection activities.

Zeevonk CEO Felix Würtenberger said the appointment reflects DEME's extensive offshore wind experience and marks another key milestone as the project moves closer to construction.

Bas Nekeman, Business Unit Director Northern Europe at DEME, said the company looks forward to expanding its long-standing collaboration with Vattenfall and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners while supporting the Netherlands' energy transition through one of its next major offshore wind developments.

Why This Matters

• For offshore contractors: Large-scale wind farm developments continue to generate strong demand for specialized installation vessels and marine engineering expertise.
• For shipowners and operators: Offshore renewables remain a key growth market, creating long-term opportunities for heavy-lift, installation, and support vessel fleets.
• For the energy sector: The 1 GW Zeevonk project will strengthen the Netherlands' renewable energy capacity and contribute to Europe's decarbonization goals.
• For maritime professionals: Complex offshore projects like Zeevonk showcase the increasingly important role of marine logistics and advanced vessel capabilities in the global energy transition.

Conclusion

DEME's latest contract reinforces the company's position as a leading offshore wind installation contractor while highlighting the continued expansion of Europe's renewable energy infrastructure. As projects like Zeevonk move toward construction, the maritime industry will remain at the heart of delivering the next generation of offshore energy assets.