(Adnkronos) – Fincantieri’s Norwegian subsidiary, Vard, has signed a new contract with the UK’s largest shipowner-operator, North Star to design and build two hybrid Service Operation Vessels in a “very important” deal worth 100-200 million euros, the Italian shipbuilder said in a statement on Tuesday
The contract for the two new SOVs strengthens “the strategic partnership between the two companies and reaffirming their joint commitment to sustainable maritime innovation,” said the statement.
The new SOVs will be developed by Vard Design in Alesund, Norway and the first vessel’s hull will be buillt at Vard Shipyards Romania in Braila, while outfitting and delivery will take place at one of Vard’s Norwegian shipyards, with delivery in late 2027, according to the statement.
The second vessel will be entirely built and delivered from Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam, with delivery planned for the fourth quarter of 2028, the statement added.
Construction of the two SOVs will leverage the proven VARD 4 19 platform, tailored specifically for offshore windfarm operations, said the statement.
Each vessel will measure 87.5 metres in length with a beam of 19.5 metres and will accommodate up to 120 personnel. They will be equipped with a battery hybrid system and ready for future conversion to operation on methanol, “underlining the companies’ shared drive toward decarbonization in the maritime sector,” the statement said.
The SOVs’ onboard features include a height-adjustable motion-compensated gangway, integrated with an elevator system, a boat landing system for safe personnel transfers, and advanced energy management solutions, the statement continued
Vard Interiors will supply HVAC-R systems and interior concepts “to guarantee high standards of comfort and functionality onboard”, Fincantieri stated.
The two new SOVs are respectively the ninth and tenth vessels commissioned by North Star from Vard and follow previous contracts for four SOVs and two Construction Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs), in addition to two Vard Designs at an external yard, the statement noted.
North Star has the largest wholly UK-owned fleet engaged in the North Sea. The firm has committed to delivering 40 hybrid offshore wind ships by 2040 to meet the evolving demand of operations and maintenance logistical support across the UK and Europe. Partners Group, one of the largest firms in the global private markets industry, acting on behalf of its clients, acquired North Star in 2022, the statement concluded.
