Belgian shipowner DEME is to reflag one of its wind turbine installation vessels (WTIV) under the Japanese flag to target Japan's growing offshore wind market.

The DP2-rated Sea Challenger (built 2014) is currently registered in Denmark but is expected to move to Japan to start work by 2025.

DEME said the vessel is set to undergo a major upgrade, preparing it for the first round of offshore wind farm projects in Japan.