Østensjø Rederi Orders Another Wind Farm Vessel

Rolls-Royce has signed a contract with shipyard Astilleros Gondan in Spain to design and equip a second Service Operation Vessel for ship owner Østensjø Rederi. The repeat order is for a new ship design from Rolls-Royce developed specifically to support operations in shallow waters at offshore wind farms.

The new vessel order follows on a wind farm vessel construction contract to Astilleros Gondan announced in October 2015. Both vessels will support wind farm operations for DONG Energy, serving as the base for technicians while they perform maintenance work on offshore wind farms. The first vessel ordered will work on Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm, while the second will work on the Hornsea Project One wind farm, both off the coast of the U.K. 

The UT 540 WP was developed by Rolls-Royce in close cooperation with the customer and builds on over 40 years of UT ship design experience across 800 vessels. Rolls-Royce said the new design for offshore wind farm support has a high focus on seakeeping capabilities, station keeping performance, improved comfort and safety on board, and reduced fuel consumption. 

As well as designing the vessel, Rolls-Royce will supply the diesel electric main machinery, consisting of frequency controlled electric driven azimuth thrusters, super silent mounted transverse thrusters, DP2 dynamic positioning system, power electrical system, deck machinery, and the latest generation Acon automation and control system.

A motion compensated gangway system with an adjustable pedestal will be installed to ensure safe operations and optimal uptime.