Dominion Energy has announced the successful launch of Charybdis, the first Jones Act-compliant offshore wind turbine installation vessel in the United States, from land to water. This milestone was achieved after completing the welding of the ship’s hull and commissioning its four legs and jacking system.
The 472-foot vessel, constructed at Seatrium’s Brownsville, Texas shipyard using domestically-sourced steel, employed over 1,200 workers at peak construction. Once completed, the vessel will be homeported in Hampton Roads and operated by an American crew.
Charybdis is crucial for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project and the growth of the offshore wind industry along the U.S. East Coast. It also contributes to the development of a domestic supply chain by providing a homegrown solution for offshore wind turbine installation.
Seatrium’s CEO, Mr. Chris Ong, emphasized the significance of the partnership with Dominion Energy in supplying the first U.S. Jones Act-compliant Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV), which will contribute to clean energy, create local job opportunities, and pave the way for future growth in the U.S. offshore wind industry.
The vessel’s hull and infrastructure were fabricated using more than 14,000 tons of domestic steel, with nearly 10,000 tons sourced from suppliers in Alabama, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Charybdis is designed to handle turbine sizes of 12 megawatts or larger, and its launch marked a historical achievement as the world’s largest completed lift, totaling 23,000 tons.
In a related development, the CVOW project received its final construction air permit from the Environmental Protection Agency, marking the completion of all required federal permits for offshore construction. Offshore monopile installation is set to begin in May.
