Ulstein wins third SOV contract from Bernhard Schulte

The vessel, an Ulstein SX195 design, is to be deployed on maintenance work for GE Renewable Energy at the German wind farm Merkur Offshore. The project has been developed in cooperation with Windea Offshore, a Bernard Schulte affiliate in offshore wind projects.
The SX195 design has been modified to incorporate special requirements from GE Renewable Energy and the shipowner’s choice of mission equipment. The 93.4m-long vessel has a large, centrally positioned walk-to-work motion-compensated gangway and elevator tower for personnel and cargo transfer, and has a 3D-compensated crane with a lifting capacity of two tonnes.
The SOV has a fuel-efficient drive system including batteries, with all main equipment and operations located aft. Whilst on station, the vessel will operate astern, with its X-Stern® towards the weather, limiting slamming, noise and wave-induced vibration. Ulstein claims that the ship is flexible and attractive for work within areas such as operations and maintenance or construction support, particularly in challenging conditions.