Vard reveals three new offshore contracts
Illustration of the OECV for Island Offshore
(Source: Vard)
Fincantieri’s Norwegian shipbuilding subsidiary, Vard, has announced three new contracts for specialised offshore vessels. The first of these, for Norwegian owner Island Offshore, is an order for one, option two, ocean energy construction vessels (OECVs).
The 120m-long vessel, of Vard 3 25 design, will have a hybrid propulsion system with a one megawatt-hour energy storage system and DP2 capability. It has been designed for efficient station-keeping and reliable operation in a range of tasks including inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR), pipe-laying, subsea infrastructure construction and installation, diving support, and equipment for remotely operated underwater inspection.
On its delivery in the first quarter of 2027, the 130-person OECV will also be ready for renewable work scopes including walk-to-work, commissioning, cable laying and repairs, trenching, and subsea surveys. The ship will have a heave-compensated offshore crane of 250 tonnes capacity and will be ready for installation of a gangway system. The hull will be built in one of Vard’s Romanian yards and outfit will be completed at one of the company’s Norwegian facilities.
Meanwhile, Vard also announced a two-ship contract for commissioning service operation vessels with an undisclosed Taiwanese customer. The new Vard 4 39 design ships are intended for sustainable windfarm support operations including construction, installation and subsequent service.
The 120-person vessels will have a large deck and a hull form that support fuel-efficient operation, future integration of modular power, and scope for fibre optic cable lay and repair. The design includes a full electrical equipment package described as part of a forward-leaning strategy that includes a powerful battery package, crane, and walk-to-work gangway systems. The CSOVs are also prepared for the adoption of future fuels in the future.
The first of the two vessels will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2026; the second during the first quarter of 2027.
