Crowley and Esvagt strengthen venture
Rendering of the service operation vessel (Source: Crowley)
U.S. maritime group Crowley and Denmark’s Esvagt have reached new joint venture agreements to jointly develop environment-friendly service operation vessels (SOVs) for wind farms. The venture was created to develop a best-in-class design and deliver wind-dedicated, U.S flag SOV vessels which are compliant with the Jones Act. Under the Jones Act, ships operating in U.S. waters must be built and maintained in U.S. yards.
Crowley will own and operate the vessels crewed with U.S. mariners, while Crowley and ESVAGT will share in the financials of the venture. The new agreements, which follow the original deal between the companies in 2021, focus on the financial and design efficiencies in the vessel development process between the companies.
“The enhancement of this venture will help bring these important service operation vessels to the U.S. offshore wind market to meet the nation’s clean, sustainable energy demands,” said Mr Jeff Andreini, vice president, Crowley Wind Services. “As we increase our organisations’ shared capabilities, we will help propel the continued growth of maritime and logistics solutions to help solve the nation’s vessel capacity demands in a responsible and sustainable way.”
Esvagt is a leading provider of emergency rescue and response vessels (ERRVs) and related services to the offshore energy industry, especially in and around the North Sea and the Barents Sea.
