New Wind Farm Service Vessel for ESVAGT

The new contract is not only the longest in ESVAGT’s history, but it is also the largest in terms of value. “This contract builds on the strong relationship we have had with MHI Vestas since 2010,” said ESVAGT A/S Chief Executive Officer, Søren Nørgaard Thomsen.

MHI Vestas and ESVAGT have collaborated on the Belwind 1 and Nobelwind 1 offshore wind farm projects in Belgium since 2010, where a newly built SOV will commence its 10-year charter period as a replacement for the Esvagt Supporter this autumn.

The new SOV will be built in the Zamakona shipyard in Bilbao, and will be equipped with a walk-to-work gangway system in a bespoke tower with a crane placed on top of the tower, which, together with ESVAGT’s Safe Transfer Boats STB 7 and STB 12, will contribute to the safe transfer of turbine technicians, tools and spare parts.

A NOK 70 million ($8.9 million) vessel design and equipment contract for was awarded to Havyard Design & Solutions. The quipment package includes DE propulsion system from Norwegian Electric Systems AS, as well as Havyard IAS and Havyard Concept Bridge.

“We have developed a vessel that has met requirements from both ship owner and operator of the vessel. We have balanced technical aspects with commercial requirements, and as such, we have been able to win this contract in a tough and competitive market,” said Sales Director Gisle Vinjevoll Thrane of Havyard Design & Solutions.

“The ship is optimized and tailored in accordance with the client’s wishes and needs,” said Kristian Ole Jakobsen, Chief Operating Officer, ESVAGT A/S. “MHI Vestas has prioritized a fuel-efficient ship and we are proud to be able to deliver a vessel of this size with remarkably low energy consumption. Simultaneously, the STB 12, which is able to call port independently, will positively contribute to a decrease in the overall fuel consumption of operating the wind farm.”

Havyard 831 SOV is developed in close cooperation between Havyard Design & Solutions, the ship owner and the operator, and is a result of Havyard’s long-term work on hull design and improved seakeeping capabilities.

“We have had obvious achievement targets, strict requirements and we have put lots of resources into finding the best compromise between the variables that provide best performance and best seakeeping capabilities for this specific vessel and its use,” said Havyard R&D Manager Kristian Steinsvik. 

The vessel will be Havyard’s seventh for ESVAGT, following four wind farm vessels, one oil service vessel and one vessel for crew change.

Name: OWF Deutsche Bucht (“DeBu”)

Awarded output: 252 MW

Turbines: 31 turbines from MHI Vestas (V164-8.0 MW)

Expected installation year: 2019

Location: German North Sea

Distance from coast: Approx. 95 km

Owner: Northland Power, Inc.