Two new SOVs have been christened in Europe while a third has completed undergoing sea trials. A Japanese operator has placed an order for an SOV for windfarm support duties off Taiwan. Lastly, a Saudi owner has selected a Dutch firm for design work on a new DSV optimised for Persian Gulf operations.
Saudi Arabia-based marine services provider Zamil Offshore Services has contracted Dutch naval architecture firm Conoship International to design a 76.2-metre dive support vessel (DSV) with a maximum draught of 2.5 metres for shallow-water operations in the Persian Gulf region.
The project scope covers the concept and basic design, with the engineering package intended for subsequent yard selection and construction.
The vessel is intended to assist with maintenance of subsea infrastructure as well as offshore oil and gas operations.
The DSV will have a beam of 17 metres, a deadweight of about 950, and accommodation for 76 people.
Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has completed conducting sea trials of a new commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) ordered by local operator Rem Offshore.
Built by Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam, Rem Power is scheduled for delivery to Rem Offshore in the fourth quarter of 2026. The CSOV is intended to support offshore wind farms worldwide through their construction, operation and maintenance.
Vard announced the contract for the vessel on July 17, 2024, identifying it as the third CSOV it would build for Rem Offshore.
The first two vessels in the series are Rem Wind and the lead vessel, which is also named Rem Power.
The newbuilding is separate from the earlier Rem Power, which was delivered to Rem Purus and operated by Rem Offshore.
Dutch marine services provider Acta Marine formally named its hybrid commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) Acta Hercules in a ceremony on Wednesday, September 30.
Like her earlier sister Acta Pegasus, Acta Hercules was built to DNV class rules and French flag requirements.
She was designed to offer comfortable accommodation and workspaces for up to 135 personnel tasked with supporting operations at offshore wind farms.
The CSOV has an LOA of 89.6 metres, a moulded beam of 19.2 metres, a design draught of five metres, a moulded depth of 7.6 metres, a deadweight of 2,200, and a gross tonnage of approximately 6,749.
German joint venture company Windward Offshore has formally named its newest commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV).
Built by Norway's Vard, Windward Munich is the third in a series of hybrid CSOVs to be acquired by Windward Offshore. Windward Athens, the first vessel in the series, was handed over in late 2025 while Windward Paris, the second in the series, was delivered earlier this year.
As with her sisters, Windward Munich is classed by DNV and sails under the flag of Malta. The CSOV was designed by Vard Design and features a new hull form that has been developed to ensure optimised seakeeping abilities as well as low fuel consumption.
Japanese shipowner NYK has placed an order with Singapore’s PaxOcean Group for a service operation vessel (SOV) for supporting offshore wind projects in Taiwan.
The Taiwan-flagged vessel will be built at PaxOcean Graha in Batam, Indonesia, and will be delivered around 2029. It will have a length of 89.6 metres, a beam of about 19.2 metres, and accommodation for up to 120 people.
Norway’s Ulstein said PaxOcean had entered into a separate agreement with Ulstein Design and Solutions covering design and engineering for the SOV.
Ulstein Power and Control will supply an integrated system for hybrid power and automation based on direct current, linking power generation, energy storage, propulsion and control.