North Star has announced its first contract for a commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) with EnBW, marking a significant step in the company's expansion within the European offshore wind industry. The contract is for the newbuild Grampian Kestrel, designed to VARD 4 22 specifications, and follows a previous decade-long charter agreement signed in February for a service operation vessel (SOV) for EnBW's 960MW He Dreiht project in the North Sea.
The He Dreiht wind farm is one of Europe's largest energy transition initiatives and is expected to supply renewable energy to approximately 1.1 million households. Construction will include 64 turbines, each with an installed capacity of 15MW, located about 90 kilometers northwest of Borkum Island and 110 kilometers west of Heligoland, with grid connections planned for the end of next year.
The Grampian Kestrel is tailored for the commissioning phase and will provide accommodation and logistics support during construction in 2025. Following this period, the vessel will oversee EnBW's operations and maintenance activities until the new SOV is delivered in the third quarter of 2026.
North Star chief executive Matthew Gordon highlighted the significance of this contract, stating, “Securing this commissioning vessel contract with EnBW highlights our strategic move to broaden our hybrid SOV services aligned to the European renewables market.” He emphasized that the CSOV is part of the company's aim to expand its fleet, targeting the addition of 40 SOVs by 2040.
The Grampian Kestrel, the first of two CSOVs under construction for North Star, features advanced methanol-ready hybrid propulsion solutions and increased single cabin accommodations for technicians, ensuring a comfortable working environment.
EnBW's construction manager, Stefan Umland, noted the contract's flexibility, stating, “The contract gives us the flexibility we need to respond quickly and efficiently to the upcoming challenges during the construction and commissioning of He Dreiht.” He added that the Grampian Kestrel will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the technicians working on the wind farm.
North Star operates from bases in Hamburg and the UK, including Aberdeen, Lowestoft, and Newcastle, and has expanded its fleet with eight SOVs and CSOVs since entering the offshore wind market in March 2021, employing a workforce of 1,400.
