Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has secured a contract to design and build two commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) for an unnamed international customer. The order is valued between €100m ($116m) and €200m ($232m) and includes an option for an additional newbuild.
The vessels will be of the upgraded VARD 4 19 design, developed by Vard Design in Ålesund and optimised for fuel efficiency and operability in offshore wind operations, the Fincantieri-controlled company said.
Both CSOVs will be equipped with hybrid battery propulsion systems, enabling zero-emission operation for parts of their duty cycle and delivering peak power when needed. The design also includes readiness for future conversion to methanol fuel.
The newbuilds are intended for walk-to-work and commissioning tasks in the offshore wind sector and will feature large storage capacity, enhanced comfort, and high station-keeping capability, the shipbuilder added.
“With this order, we’ve now passed 40 walk-to-work vessels ordered or delivered,” said Runar Vågnes, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Vard.
Construction will be split across multiple Vard sites. The first hull will be built in Romania and outfitted in Norway, while the second vessel will be built at Vard’s facility in Vung Tau, Vietnam. Delivery schedules have not been disclosed.
