North Star has officially named and handed over the Grampian Tweed, its latest service operations vessel (SOV), completing its fleet of dedicated vessels for the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm. The Grampian Tweed is the fourth SOV to be introduced ahead of schedule, supporting the world's largest offshore wind project located off the UK's North East coast.
Gitte Gard Talmo, CEO of North Star, expressed pride in the milestone, stating, “The naming of the Grampian Tweed is a proud moment for all of us across the business. Our in-house teams have worked tirelessly to ensure that this SOV, alongside its sister vessels, meets the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. The early handover of all these ships not only reinforces our partnership with Equinor and SSE Renewables but also strengthens our role in the transition to a greener, more sustainable energy future.
The Grampian Tweed's naming ceremony took place at Associated British Ports' Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF) and was attended by representatives from North Star, Equinor, SSE Renewables, and local stakeholders. The ceremony featured speeches from industry leaders and a blessing by Reverend Peter Paine. Emma Sayer, a long-time member of North Star's crewing team, served as the vessel's godmother.
Kamala Hajiyeva, VP and head of the Dogger Bank development at Equinor, highlighted the significance of the vessel's arrival: “With the arrival of the Grampian Tweed SOV, we celebrate the last of four vessels delivered to the project. The Grampian Tweed also provides a best-in-class working and living environment for our offshore wind technicians and team members, ensuring they can carry out essential maintenance safely and comfortably.
Once operational, Dogger Bank will be the world's largest offshore wind farm, with a total generating capacity of 3.6 GW. SSE Renewables Project Director Olly Cass also commended the achievement, noting, “Congratulations to the team at North Star for achieving another significant milestone for our pioneering project.
The addition of the Grampian Tweed further supports the ongoing development of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm, reinforcing the UK's growing offshore wind sector and its role in the global energy transition.
