KESTO, the offshore wind joint venture between Denmark’s Esvagt and South Korean shipping company KMC Line, has secured its first contracts, signing a long-term vessel deal with turbine maker Vestas for the Shinan-Ui offshore wind farm.
Under the agreement, KESTO will provide offshore service logistics to Vestas from 2028 for a minimum period of 10 years. The scope covers support during construction and continues into the operational phase of the wind farm, with service work expected to run through to 2039.
The deal marks KESTO’s first commercial foothold since the joint venture was established and positions it as the first vessel operator to secure long-term contracts for the project.
“This is an important milestone for KESTO and a natural extension of ESVAGT’s long-standing partnership with Vestas, now into the Korean offshore wind market,” said Esvagt chief executive Søren Karas, pointing to the venture’s focus on safety and operational quality.
KMC Line chief executive James Kim said the contract formally launches KESTO’s operations, with the venture aiming to deliver offshore wind services that meet both international standards and Korean regulatory requirements.
To support the contract, KESTO has kicked off construction of two 27-m crew transfer vessels, each with capacity for 24 technicians. The vessels will be used to transport crews to and from Vestas’ 15 MW turbines for daily service and maintenance work.
The CTVs are based on European designs and will be built at a South Korean shipyard, with delivery scheduled for the first quarter of 2028.
Once operational in 2028/29, the Shinan-Ui offshore wind farm is expected to generate enough power to supply around 350,000 South Korean households.
