North Star, a leading maritime services provider, has inked a significant deal with Siemens Gamesa to construct a hybrid Service Operations Vessel (SOV) slated for long-term charter at the East Anglia 3 offshore wind farm, situated off the Suffolk coast, England.
“This marks our first SOV contract in the southern North Sea, which will be serviced by our talented operational team stationed strategically in the region to provide dedicated support throughout this new long-term partnership,” stated Robert Catchpole, Chief Operating Officer of North Star.
The newly secured contract underscores North Star’s dedication to expanding its renewables fleet, having entered the market two-and-a-half years ago. The company aims to bolster its fleet by adding 40 SOVs by 2040.
Pedro Fernandez, ScottishPower Renewables’ EA3 Project Director, emphasized the significance of local supply chains and the region’s role as a global center of excellence for the offshore wind industry.
Scheduled for delivery to Siemens Gamesa in late 2026, the SOV will commence operations for the EA3 development, with North Star’s commissioning SOV, the CSOV Kestrel, leading the way from April of the same year.
Andrew Viles, Siemens Gamesa’s Head of Operations for Northern Europe, stressed the company’s dedication to providing high-performing and long-term offshore service logistics solutions.
North Star has also awarded the construction project for the SOV of VARD 4 19 design to Cochin Shipyard, a leader in India’s shipbuilding and repair industry. This move aligns with North Star’s focus on sustainable maritime solutions and its commitment to meeting the evolving needs of clients in the offshore renewable segment.
Madhu Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard, expressed delight in being chosen again as North Star’s preferred partner and reiterated CSL’s commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable vessels to serve maritime markets.
