Dominion Energy has announced the launch of “Charybdis,” the United States’ inaugural Jones Act-compliant offshore wind turbine installation vessel. The achievement follows the completion of welding on the ship’s hull and the commissioning of its four legs and associated jacking system.
Bob Blue, Dominion Energy’s Chair, President, and CEO, emphasized the pivotal role of Charybdis in the company’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project and the broader expansion of the offshore wind industry along the U.S. East Coast. He underscored the vessel’s importance in nurturing a domestic supply chain and facilitating the installation of offshore wind turbines.
The 472-foot vessel is being built at Seatrium’s Brownsville, Texas shipyard, utilizing domestically-sourced steel. Over 1,200 workers were engaged in the peak construction phase of the project. Upon completion, the vessel will be based in Hampton Roads, a premier offshore wind installation harbor, and will operate with an American crew.
Chris Ong, CEO of Seatrium, emphasized the significance of the collaboration between Seatrium’s AmFELS shipyard and Dominion Energy, stressing the vessel’s role in advancing the country’s energy transition. The U.S.-built vessel is poised to enhance energy reliability, affordability, and cleanliness while fostering local expertise and employment opportunities.
Charybdis’s hull and infrastructure were fabricated using more than 14,000 tons of domestic steel, with significant contributions from suppliers in Alabama, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Designed to accommodate turbines of 12 megawatts or larger, the vessel’s launch marked a historic milestone, representing the world’s largest completed lift totaling 23,000 tons.
In addition to the vessel launch, Dominion Energy revealed that the CVOW project has secured a final construction air permit from the Environmental Protection Agency, marking the culmination of the regulatory approvals required for offshore construction. Monopile installation for the project is scheduled to commence in May, further propelling the advancement of offshore wind initiatives in the United States.