Norwegian shipbuilder Vard announce that it signed a contract with Navigare Capital Partners, in close corporation with Norwind Offshore, for the design and construction of one tailor-made Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV). The parties have also agreed on new options for two additional vessels.
The new CSOV vessel, scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2026, is of VARD 4 19 design, developed by Vard Design in Ålesund in close collaboration with Norwind Offshore.
The hull will be built in Vard Shipyards Romania – Braila and the outfitting, commissioning and delivery will be by one of Vard’s yards in Norway.
Tailor-made for worldwide services and maintenance operations, the VARD 4 19 design is a versatile platform for offshore wind farm support operations, focusing on onboard logistics, security, comfort, and operability.
The VARD 4 19 design is a highly versatile platform for sustainable offshore wind farm support operations, focusing on onboard logistics, security, comfort, and superior operability. The 85-meter vessel has a beam of 19.5 meters and will be equipped with a height-adjustable motion-compensated gangway with an elevator system, a 3-D crane, and a height-adjustable boat landing system. The vessel will be installed with battery solutions.
The CSOV will have accommodation for 87 persons on board.
The new vessel will have Vard Electro’s SeaQ Integrated Bridge System installed, – a bridge solution with an intuitive user interface designed with the operator in focus to create a safer operation environment. Organized to achieve a clean and efficient workspace, the bridge emphasizes ease of operation, safety, and ergonomics.
The vessel is prepared for a full digital vessel overview through the SeaQ Green Pilot that enables the owner to have a full overview of the energy consumption statistics. For control and monitoring of the vessel’s systems, the newbuilding will be equipped with Vard Electro’s SeaQ Integrated Alarm System (IAS), Power Management System (PMS), and Energy Management System (EMS) to have full control of the vessel hybrid system.
VARD’s specialized subsidiary, Seaonics, supports the environmental focus with an all-electric lift and handling package. It includes the ECMC 30-meter walk-to-work gangway for safe personnel transfer and a 7-ton 3D compensated crane for efficient cargo operations. This will be the third gangway delivery to Norwind Offshore from Seaonics.
Vard Interiors will deliver modern Interior solutions and green HVAC-R and Piping systems, aiming to create a comfortable living, and working environment onboard the vessel.
This is the fifth CSOV newbuild Norwind Offshore has contracted with Vard since October 2021, in addition to the conversion of a platform supply vessel (PSV) to a service operation vessel (SOV).