Vard, a shipbuilding company, has announced a new contract with Purus Wind, a UK-based firm, for the construction of two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs). The construction process will take place in different locations, with the hull of the first vessel being built in Romania at Vard's facility, and the outfitting, commissioning, and delivery to be carried out at one of Vard's yards in Norway. The second vessel will be constructed at Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam.
The delivery timeline for the CSOVs has been set, with the first vessel scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2025, followed by the second vessel in the second quarter of 2026.
These CSOVs are based on the VARD 4 19 design developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway. In collaboration with Purus Wind, the design has been enhanced and customized to offer environmental advantages, including a hull design that optimizes fuel consumption and resistance, as well as ensuring high operability and comfort.
One notable feature of the vessels is the battery-hybrid system, enabling them to operate with zero emissions for certain periods. Additionally, the system allows for charging at sea, connecting to the power grid in the wind farm or harbor to regularly recharge the batteries without the need to go ashore. The vessels have also been designed to accommodate future operation with methanol, offering an additional sustainable option.
The project has received funding through the Norwegian Government's Green Platform Initiative, highlighting its alignment with environmental goals.
The CSOVs will be equipped with an Electric Controlled Motion Compensated (ECMC) crane, developed by SEAONICS, a subsidiary of VARD. This crane ensures that loads remain close to the crane tip during operations, from the deck level to the transition piece (TP) platform.
A walk-to-work system will be installed on the vessels, providing stepless access ranging from 15 to 30 meters above sea level. This system is designed for efficient transfer of both personnel and cargo.
The contract with Purus Wind also includes an option for two additional vessels, demonstrating the potential for future expansion.
It is worth mentioning that Purus Wind has recently ordered an offshore wind vessel fleet from Damen Shipyards, comprising hybrid vessels, crew transfer vessels (CTVs), and one construction service operation vessel (CSOV).
In another recent development, Vard secured a contract to design and construct two CSOVs for North Star, a UK support vessel operator.
