RWE confirms long-term charter deals

Essen-based RWE has struck a long-term deal with North Star, the UK’s largest owner and operator of various types of offshore support vessels. With backing from Partners Group, which invested in the Aberdeen-based company three years ago, North Star will make two low-emission service operation vessels (SOVs) available to RWE – the Grampian Eagle and the Grampian Kestrel.

The Grampian Eagle has been chartered for ‘at least twelve years’, the company said in a statement. It will support operations and maintenance activities at the Triton Knoll wind farm off the UK coast. The Grampian Kestrel will support maintenance at RWE’s German wind farms to the north of Heligoland. Both vessels will be ‘ready’ for alternative fuels.

The German company has also committed to taking another two new SOVs from 2028 and 2029 onwards. North Star intends to build these ships at Vard.

Thomas Michel, RWE Offshore chief operating officer, commented: “Through this long-term partnership, RWE is taking a strategic step by securing next generation service operations vessels against the backdrop of a tight market. Those service operations vessels are an important enabler for RWE to deliver best-in-class performance across our existing operational fleet, as well as for future projects.”

Speaking for North Star, CEO Gitte Gard Talmo said: “This landmark deal is the beginning of a strategic partnership between two industry leaders, built on early engagement, mutual trust and shared ambitions. We are proud to secure agreements for four state-of-the-art vessels and grateful for the trust put in us by RWE. Our focus is delivering world class operational performance, utilising all of North Star’s expertise and capabilities in SOV services.”