The Grampian Tees Service Operation Vessel (SOV) for North Star has been delivered from Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam. This SOV is the third of four purpose designed and built ships destined for decade-long minimum charters to support operations and maintenance (O&M) work at the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm.
The VARD 4 12 will be 78 metres in length with a beam of 19 metres and accommodation for 60 persons in single cabins. Another key design element was to ensure efficient logistics. All the vessels have a height-adjustable, motion-compensated gangway with elevator system, a height-adjustable boat transfer system, as well as a 3D-compensated crane for cargo transfer.
For optimal efficiency, the vessel utilizes a cutting-edge diesel-electric propulsion system, bolstered by a battery hybrid power management and architecture. It incorporates the highly efficient Voith eVSP propulsion and a drop-down azimuth thruster for field efficiency. Additionally, the vessel benefits from the comprehensive SeaQ power package delivered by Vard Electro, providing complete control over the onboard power systems. This integration allows for reduced fuel consumption, minimized emissions, improved responsiveness, and enhanced safety.
Once the windfarm currently under construction is fully operational, the complete windfarm will become the largest in the world, producing enough electricity to power six million British homes.