Recently, Norwegian shipbuilding group VARD announced the signing of a design and construction contract with an anonymous international client for two wind farm commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs).
The contract is valued between 100 to 200 million euros (approximately RMB 839 million to 1.678 billion). The hull of the first vessel will be built at VARD’s shipyard in Romania, with outfitting, commissioning, and delivery completed by VARD’s Norwegian shipyard. The second vessel will be constructed at VARD’s Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam.
This vessel type adopts an upgraded VARD 4 19 design developed by VARD Design, tailored to client requirements. It features a hull design optimized for fuel consumption, high seaworthiness, and excellent crew comfort, delivering environmental benefits. The vessel measures approximately 87 meters in length and 19.5 meters in width, with a maximum speed of 13 knots. Equipped with advanced DP2 dynamic positioning and seaworthiness systems, its 84 cabins can accommodate up to 120 personnel.
The new vessels will feature a battery hybrid propulsion system, enabling zero-emission operation during specific periods while providing peak power support during operations and maintaining efficient energy performance. Additionally, the design allows for future methanol power conversion, offering more sustainable operational options.
The VARD 4 19 CSOV serves as a highly flexible wind farm support platform, emphasizing onboard logistics systems, living comfort, large-capacity storage, and superior operational performance.
The vessels will be equipped with a 30-meter electrically controlled motion-compensated (ECMC) “walk-to-work” gangway system developed by VARD subsidiary Seaonics, providing technicians with step-free access for safe transit between offshore wind facilities at heights of 15 to 30 meters above sea level. The system integrates an elevator for personnel and cargo transfer.
Furthermore, to ensure safe and efficient lifting operations, the vessels will also feature an ECMC C25-type 7-ton 3D-compensated crane capable of lifting 5-ton loads within a 25-meter operational radius.
The vessels will receive DNV’s “Cyber Secure (Essential)” notation, indicating cybersecurity integration throughout the design, construction, and delivery phases. This enhances the vessels’ ability to withstand cyberattacks, maintain operations during incidents, and recover from attacks.
Vard Electro will provide a complete SeaQ integrated system to support safe, efficient, and modern vessel operations. With its flexible and integrated system architecture, SeaQ consolidates critical functions onto a single platform, driving digital transformation and supporting smarter, more sustainable offshore operations.
The SeaQ Bridge digital bridge simplifies operations, offering crew intuitive workstations with centralized access to all critical systems. Paired with the SeaQ Green Pilot system, the vessels will feature cloud-based monitoring for fuel consumption, energy use, and emissions, enabling local and remote data analysis for data-driven operational efficiency.
Vard Interiors delivers advanced interior concepts along with sustainable HVAC-R and piping systems, balancing craftsmanship with energy-saving goals. The company focuses on creating comfortable, functional onboard environments while prioritizing environmental responsibility.
Runar Vågnes, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at VARD, stated: “With this contract, our total customized walk-to-work (W2W) vessel orders will exceed 40 units. This milestone reflects our clients’ continued trust in our designs, solutions, and quality.
