Vard wins two-ship contract from Purus Wind

Ship design and construction firm, Vard, has won a contract from UK-based Purus Wind for two, option two, commissioning service operation vessels (CSOV). The value of the contract has not been disclosed.

The two firm vessels will be built to a Vard 4 19 design developed by the company’s subsidiary, Vard Design, in Ålesund Norway. However, the ships will incorporate various additional features to enhance sustainability, reduce resistance, and improve fuel consumption. Vessel uptime and comfort on board will be key considerations.

The battery hybrid system will enable the 87m-long, 19.5m-wide CSOVs to operate with zero emissions for periods of time, and the ships will be delivered ready for charging at offshore wind farms when such facilities become available. This will boost efficiency by saving fuel and cutting downtime. The CSOVs will also be delivered prepared for operation using methanol as fuel in the future. Their maximum transit speed is 13 knots.

Purus Wind business head, Tom Nevin, said: “These vessels will support a pathway for our clients to decarbonise their operations and to maintain our position as a leader with the lowest carbon offshore wind support fleet. We are also very excited about the potential of what will be the next generation of a very successful design with the ability to convert to methanol with the flexibility of hybrid and zero-emission mode.”

The hull of the first vessel will be built at the Fincantieri-owned shipbuilder’s Romania facility prior to outfitting, commissioning, and delivery from one of Vard’s Norwegian shipyards. The second ship will be built at the company’s Vung Tau yard in Vietnam.

The first vessel will be delivered in the second quarter of 2025; the second ship will follow one year later.