Offshore Vessel News Roundup | May 11 – Windfarm maintenance vessel newbuildings for Western Europe plus a Chinese cable-layer refit

A Chinese cable-layer has been upgraded to better support offshore wind projects while construction orders have been placed for renewables maintenance vessels for service in Western Europe.

Chinese cable-lay ship upgraded to serve offshore wind customers

A cable-laying vessel operated by Chinese offshore construction company the Dejing Group has completed undergoing a modernisation program to enable it to better serve customers in the domestic offshore wind market.

The upgrade on Dejing 106 included installation of a dynamic positioning system and further optimisation of the anchor positioning system and the cable loading equipment. This will enable the vessel to perform cable-laying using DP and anchor positioning simultaneously if required, and to do so even in 3.5-knot ocean currents and 2.5-metre wave heights.

The vessel is also equipped to perform maintenance and emergency repairs on cables.

The upgrade works on Dejing 106 were completed in compliance to China Classification Society requirements.

Northern Offshore Services orders hybrid crewboat pair

Swedish operator Northern Offshore Services has placed orders for two new windfarm crewboats in a series.

The vessels will be fitted with hybrid propulsion systems. Navigation can be done either in hybrid mode or in full electric mode to reduce CO2 emissions.

Deliveries are scheduled for 2024.

RWE, Acta Marine enter agreement on SOV operations

German renewables company RWE and Dutch marine services specialist Acta Marine have entered into a long-term vessel supply agreement regarding the construction and operation of two service operation vessels (SOVs) in a series.

Construction of the vessels will commence in Turkey in the second quarter of 2023. Deliveries are scheduled for 2025 and 2026, after which the vessels will support activities at the Triton Knoll and Sofia offshore wind farms in UK waters.

The vessels will be fitted with dual-fuel propulsion systems that can also run on methanol.

North Star taps Norwegian builder for new CSOVs

UK operator the North Star Group has selected Norwegian shipbuilder Vard for the construction of two new commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs).

The chosen CSOV design has been developed especially for North Star, with new methanol ready hybrid propulsion systems and an increased number of single cabins, providing hotel quality accommodation for windfarm technicians.

Each vessel will measure 95 by 19.5 metres and will have accommodations for 111 technicians. Vard said the design is prepared for future operation on methanol.