The Windward Offshore consortium said it had ordered two state-of-the-art Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOV) from VARD, with an option for two additional offshore wind service vessels.
Winward Offshore is a consortium currently under establishment and is led by SeaRenergy Group in collaboration with Blue Star Group, Diana Shipping Inc., and SeraVerse GmbH.
As for the CSOV desing, Vard describes the VARD 4 19 design is a all-round platform for sustainable offshore windfarm support operations, focusing on onboard logistics, security, comfort, and superior operability.
The 87.5-meter vessels have a beam of 19.5 meters and will be equipped with a height-adjustable motion-compensated gangway with elevator system, and a height-adjustable boat landing system. The CSOVs will have an accommodation for 120 persons on board. To achieve energy-efficient and smart operations at sea, with the goal of reducing fuel consumption, the vessels will be outfitted with a comprehensive SeaQ package from Vard Electro that includes systems and solutions for Power, Control, Bridge, and Communication. The vessels are also prepared for operation on green methanol. In addition, the design allows for the future use of methanol fuel.
The Group’s subsidiary, Vard Electro, is also involved in the project through deliveries of SeaQ equipment and solutions. Vard Interiors is delivering HVAC-R and interior concepts.
The vessels are designed by Vard Design in Ålesund Norway. The first hull will be built in one of VARD’s shipyards in Romania, while the final outfitting, commissioning, and delivery will be carried out by one of VARD’s shipyards in Norway. The second hull will be built in Vietnam. The first hybrid CSOV is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2025.
“Windward Offshore will play a key role in the energy transition by providing integrated offshore wind service solutions. The CSOVs act as the centerpiece for servicing wind farms during the critical commissioning phase, encapsulating the consortium’s strategy of delivering integrated solutions through a combination of vessels, engineering, maintenance, and operation services,” the company said.
“Due to recent political changes, there is an increasing need for investment in offshore wind infrastructure. While the changes in the political framework have fostered the entry of new developers into the offshore wind market, the investment activities in the Offshore Wind infrastructure are still by far too low,” the company added.