Massive crane ship looms off jersey shore coast as empire wind project kicks off despite backlash from locals

Massive crane ship looms off Jersey Shore coast as Empire Wind project kicks off despite backlash from locals

by
September 2, 2025
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Atlantic City, NJ – Beachgoers along the Jersey Shore got an unexpected sight this Labor Day weekend as one of the world’s largest crane vessels, the Thialf, appeared offshore to begin work on the Empire Wind 1 project.

The Thialf, the second-largest semi-submersible crane ship in the world, is now stationed off New Jersey to assist in the construction of the offshore wind farm. Towering above the water, the vessel is equipped with cranes capable of lifting 14,200 metric tons and will handle everything from deepwater installations to massive monopiles.

https:// /StEC_Oceans/status/1962548224826220578

The ship recently moved to the Empire Wind 1 project site, located between Long Island and the Jersey Shore, where crews will install foundations for 54 Vestas 15 MW turbines. The Thialf will also set the lattice foundation for the offshore substation, which will transmit the wind farm’s power to shore.

“America last. Foreign workers on foreign ships – Thailf ?? and GPO Emerald ?? prepare to destroy NY/NJ Bight for foreign energy company Equinor. End offshore wind now!” Save the East Coast posted on X.

Governor Phil Murphy, along with other East Coast governors, has opposed President Donald Trump’s moratorium on offshore wind projects but noted the federal government granted an exception for Liberty Wind and Empire Wind.

Massive crane ship looms off jersey shore coast as empire wind project kicks off despite backlash from locals
Thialf, owned by heerema. Photos by heerema. Marketing images of rig.

The installation of the wind turbines themselves will be carried out by the Maersk WIV, a purpose-built wind installation vessel that recently launched from Seatrium’s Singapore shipyard.

Empire Wind 1 is expected to deliver its first power by late 2026, with full commissioning planned for 2027. Once operational, the project will play a central role in New York’s and New Jersey’s renewable energy goals.

Key Points

  • The Thialf, one of the world’s largest crane vessels, was spotted off the Jersey Shore over Labor Day weekend.
  • The ship will install monopile foundations and an offshore substation for Empire Wind 1.
  • The 54-turbine project is slated to deliver first power in 2026 and be fully operational in 2027.

The view from the beach just turned into a front-row seat for the future of offshore power.

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