The MPI Discovery is a wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV), designed to transport, lift and install wind turbines and their foundations. Along with her sister ship, the MPI Adventure, she is the world’s most advanced and most efficient WTIV, in terms of jacking speed, deck space, lifting capacity and positioning capabilities (DP2). These enhanced characteristics have been achieved without losing the original concept of a unique combination of tested technologies, pioneered by MPI on its first WTIV, MPI Resolution. The experience gained from operating MPI Resolution in the offshore wind turbine installation market since 2003 has proved vital in implementing these enhancements.

Key features on the MPI Discovery include a 1,000-tonne-capacity main crane, plus a 50-tonne-capacity auxiliary crane, accommodation capacity for 112 persons, a maximum operating depth of 40 metres (at 5.0m leg penetration and 7.8m air gap) and an ability to jack with 6,000 tonnes of cargo onboard.

Paul Gibson, Chairman of MPI Offshore Limited said “This truly is a proud day for all at MPI, Vroon and the Cosco Shipyard, plus the many other parties who have worked tirelessly for the last three years to bring about the delivery of such an impressive piece of engineering. I have no doubt that, once in service on London Array, MPI Discovery will soon demonstrate that she really is a class act! She is a welcome addition to the MPI fleet and will serve to consolidate our position as a world leader in the construction of offshore wind installations.”