Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has entered into a €66 million (US$75 million) to €75 million (US$85 million) deal with Taiwan-based Dong Fang Offshore (DFO) for the construction of a commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV), with delivery due in the third quarter of 2028.
Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam will handle the vessel’s construction, outfitting, testing and delivery. The contract announced on Wednesday, September 23, is the fifth vessel awarded to Vard by DFO.
The CSOV will support subsea work together with offshore wind installation and maintenance. The deck will also be prepared for cable installation and repair.
The vessel will be approximately 102.5 metres long and 19.5 metres wide. Its maximum speed will be 14 knots, and it will be equipped with DP2 dynamic positioning.
Battery-hybrid technology will be combined with an optimised hull and propulsion configuration. Vard said the arrangement is intended to support the vessel’s performance in seakeeping and station-keeping.
The vessel’s 700-square-metre work deck will provide space for offshore operations. It will also feature a 32-metre walk-to-work system and a 3D motion-compensated crane along with remotely operated vehicle launch and recovery equipment and preparation for a helicopter deck.
An optional 70-tonne offshore crane with active heave compensation could expand its subsea construction capability. The vessel will also be able to accommodate up to 120 people across 90 cabins.
Vard’s scope covers the vessel’s design, hull construction, outfitting, systems integration, commissioning and delivery.
“We have been impressed by the quality and capability of Vard Vung Tau and look forward to receiving another newbuild that will meet the high levels of comfort and quality required by our customers,” DFO CEO Polin Chen said in the contract announcement.
DFO's initial contract with Vard covered two CSOVs in May 2024. In April 2025, the company ordered a Vard-designed vessel for offshore subsea construction, followed by another CSOV in May 2025.
The vessel for offshore subsea construction, valued at €113.5 million (US$129.2 million), is due to be delivered in the second quarter of 2027. The latest CSOV brings the total number of DFO vessels ordered from Vard to five.
DFO meanwhile took delivery of the 103-metre service operation vessel Orient Inspirer from Vard Vung Tau earlier this month. It will operate under charter to Vestas at the Changfang-Xidao and Zhong Neng offshore wind farms off Taiwan.