New joint venture to manage CSOV fleet

Windward Offshore’s fleet consists of four CSOVs, with the first two vessels currently under construction in Romania and Norway and the remaining two in Vietnam
(Source: Windward)
Windward Offshore GmbH & Co. KG and Stödig Ship Management AS are to set up a joint venture to manage the technical and crew operations for a fleet of commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs). The new arrangement has been formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding.
The Hamburg-based partnership will provide comprehensive technical and crew management services for Windward’s four 120-person CSOVs. Hamburg as a location has been chosen as a centre of maritime excellence and a hub for offshore wind operations, the companies said.
The four vessels, based on a Vard 4 19 design, will have battery hybrid power systems ready for future operation on green methanol. The first two ships are currently being built in Romania and Norway, the other pair in Vietnam. The first vessel is due for delivery during the second half of 2025, with the remaining three due to be commissioned in 2026.
The new setup, which is already in place, follows a tender process in which a number of parties were assessed. Windward chose Stödig because of its extensive experience and proven track record in managing similar vessels. The Bergen-based company has managed a series of service operation vessels (SOVs) and has successfully completed more than 50,000 walk-to-work transfers, ensuring the safe passage of personnel between vessels via gangways.
Benjamin Vordemfelde, Windward’s managing director, said: “Stödig’s expertise in managing vessels, particularly CSOVs and SOVs, is a perfect fit to our experience in offshore wind operations and commitment to excellence.”
Speaking for Stödig, managing director Gisle Rong commented: “We are excited to see this partnership materialise and dedicated contributing to success. The quality approach of Windward Offshore fits well with our strategy of providing high quality, tailormade services for our customers.”