Vessels News

Danish offshore wind installation firm Cadeler has signed a preferred supplier agreement to secure vessel capacity with an undisclosed client, to transport and install offshore wind turbines.The installation campaign is due to commence in 2029 for an undisclosed client and project.tThe effectiveness of the agreement is contingent upon the client’s success in a future auction, Cadeler noted.In May, Cadeler placed a $400 million order to COSCO Heavy Industries for the construction of its third A-class wind farm installation vessel…

Prysmian's Monna Lisa vessel, being build by Vard, has reached Norway for final outfitting, installation of main mission equipment and trials, before becoming fully operational in 2025.The 171-meter-long cable laying vessel (CLV) arrived to Norway after travelling 4,000 nautical miles around Europe for 28 days, following its launch at Vard’s shipyard in Tulcea Romania.The vessel was towed down the Danube River, across the Mediterranean Sea, and up the coast of Portugal and Spain…

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Nantong Pengrui Offshore Technology and COSCO Shipping Shipyard (Nantong) for its novel design of an offshore access gangway.The motion compensated, active and passive, gangway design offers a solution for the growing demand for efficient access for service operation vessels (SOVs) supporting wind turbines and offshore platforms.ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements.“Transferring personnel to and from offshore facilities is one of the most hazardous operations in the business.

Huisman has signed two contracts for the supply of cranes and installation tools for Cadeler’s A-Class newbuild offshore wind farm installation vessels.The first contract is for the design and construction of a Leg Encircling Crane (LEC) and a Pedestal Mounted Crane for Cadeler’s latest A-Class new build vessel.The other is for an Upending Frame and Monopile Storage System to be installed on the Wind Ally, another A-Class jack-up vessel in Cadeler’s fleet.COSCO has awarded Huisman the contract for a 3…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has secured a contract to build the sixth commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) for offshore personnel transfer provider Windcat.The contract marks the further strengthening of the working relationship between Damen, Windcat and CMB.TECH, working on the 'Elevation Series' of CSOVs.Windcat will deploy the ‘Elevation Series’ to provide in-field technical and maintenance support to offshore wind farms for up to 30 days at a time.Damen will build the sixth CSOV at Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam…

Vard has launched the cable laying vessel (CLV) being built for Danish offshore services firm NCT Offshore, ahead of delivery planned later in 2024.The newbuild CLV, named Freja, has been launched at Vard Shipyards in Tulcea, Romania.The vessel features VARD 9 01 design, and is especially equipped for subsea cable laying operations and developed in close collaboration with NCT Offshore.According to Vard, the vessel has high focus on sea-keeping capabilities, excellent station keeping performances and low fuel consumption.The cable layer…

Singaporean shipbuilder Strategic Marine has secured an order from Louis Dreyfus Amateurs for an additional pair of crew transfer vessels (CTVs) to expand its fleet from five to seven high-specification vessels.The 27-meter CTVs represent sister ships to Acti’Vent and Esti’Vent, and will be able to transport 24 passengers each.The two new CTVs, of StratCat 27 design, are expected to be delivered early in 2025. “These new orders are part of our strategy to expand our Offshore Renewables business in France and in Europe.

Danish subsea cable and services firm NKT has boosted the offshore installation capabilities of its cable laying vessel (CLV) NKT Victoria by conducting several technical upgrades.According to NKT, the vessel now features increased cable load capacity, improved station keeping and added installation capabilities.Key upgrades on NKT Victoria include increased load capacity from 9,000 tons to 11,000 tons, added Azimuth retractable thruster in the middle of the hull for improved positioning…

Denmark-based A.P. Moller - Maersk has launched a dedicated division to provide installation services to the growing offshore wind industry.Maersk Offshore Wind has been formed as a spin off from Maersk Supply Service (MSS), which was acquired by Norwegian offshore supply vessel company DOF Group in a $1.11 billion in a cash and stock deal.The newly formed company is owned by A.P. Moller Holding and currently has approximately 40 employees. It will market the Wind Installation Vessel (Maersk WIV) concept, developed by MSS.

The Netherlands-based subsea services company N-Sea announced it has finalized a deal to acquire Geo Plus based in Groningen, The Netherlands.Geo Plus operates a fleet of five specialized survey vessels—Geo Ranger, Geo Focus, Geo Explorer, Geo Motion, and Geo Connection—which are currently operating on long-term projects in Europe and the Middle East. The vessels are well equipped for all types of geophysical surveys and inspection activities.By acquiring Geo Plus, N-Sea increases its capacity and capabilities in the field of shallow water hydrographic surveys…

Norwegian offshore supply vessel company DOF Group on Tuesday announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Denmark-headquartered Maersk Supply Service (MSS) for $1.11 billion in a cash and stock deal.The combined company, operating under the DOF Group name and brand, will be a leading offshore service provider with comprehensive scale and a wide range of services across all continents in the offshore energy industries.The deal will see DOF's fleet grow to 78 modern offshore/subsea vessels…

Oceaneering International announced its Offshore Projects Group (OPG) segment has been awarded multiple contractual agreements for vessel services with global energy companies, covering operations in the Gulf of Mexico.The scope of work under the first contract includes a mix of basic and heavy inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) services, including vessel-based inspections, maintenance of smaller equipment, and replacement of jumpers. The contract also encompasses intervention services and installation work, which are currently scheduled for the second half of 2024.

A fleet of Jones Act compliant crew transfer vessels is growing in stride with the United States’ burgeoning offshore wind industry.When the United Sates’ first purpose-built crew transfer vessel (CTV), Atlantic Pioneer, was delivered in 2016, the country’s offshore wind industry was just getting off the ground. In the years that followed, the industry has been building up—perhaps slower than expected at times—but today is moving forward in earnest.Coinciding with this build-up is the growth of a fleet of Jones Act qualified vessels…

Kongsberg Maritime has introduced a new size of underwater mountable azimuth thruster with a 3.7 meter propeller and 4.2-megawatt power output model joining the range. Suited to a range of vessels including drill ships, windfarm vessels and production vessels, the UUC PM 355 features a permanent magnet (PM) motor, delivering 81 tons of bollard pull.The UUC PM 355, has a compact design with less space required in the machine room thanks to the integrated PM motor. Other features include low noise operation…

Equinor has declared options to extend the contract with Eidesvik Offshore, a Norwegian offshore vessel owner, for its supply platform supply vessel (PSV) Viking Energy.The contract extension runs from April 2025, extending the firm period to April 2030. The contract also includes options for further extensions.“Viking Energy has been in continuous operation for Equinor since its launch in 2003. This contract extension highlights the operational excellence consistently delivered…

Belgium-based offshore installation contractor Jan De Nul has signed preferred supplier agreement with Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) for the installation of subsea high-voltage export cable for Fengmiao I offshore wind farm in Taiwan.The subsea cables, about 90 km long, will bring the wind energy generated at the 500 MW Fengmiao I wind farm ashore to Taichung City.Fengmiao I will provide power for about half a million households, and is part of the larger Fengmiao wind project.The wind farm is located approximately 35 km off the coast of Taichung and has a total capacity of 1…

With its two latest vessel deliveries, WINDEA CTV has completed its inaugural fleet of Jones Act qualified crew transfer vessels (CTV) to service the growing U.S. offshore wind industry.The four brand-new Incat Crowther-designed hybrid-ready CTVs—including the previously delivered WINDEA Courageous and Intrepid, as well as the recently completed and delivered WINDEA Ranger and Enterprise—were constructed by St. Johns Ship Building in Palatka, Fla.; Gulf Craft in Franklin, La.; and Breaux Brothers Enterprises in New Iberia, La.

American Offshore Services (A-O-S) announced the launch of its second crew transfer vessel (CTV), Generater, designed to support the United States' growing offshore wind industry.Generater is a 99-foot, Jones-Act-qualified catamaran built to serve wind farms off the U.S. East Coast.Like sister vessel Gripper, the newbuild is of Northern Offshore Services (N-O-S)’ 30-meter G-Class design with focus on comfort for crew and technicians, making it possible to stay offshore for 24-hour operations…

Dutch shipbuilder Damen has signed a deal with Ta San Shang Marine (TSSM) for the construction of new service operation vessel (SOV) for Taiwanese offshore wind operations.This is the third newbuilding SOV for TSSM, a joint venture between Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Ta Tong Marine (TSS), following the first newly built SOV in Asia the TSS Pioneer, delivered in 2022, and the TSS Cruiser, which was ordered in November 2023 and is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2025.The third vessel is designed to be methanol-ready as a future fuel…

Dutch offshore vessel owner Acta Marine has announced the expansion into French maritime and offshore energy market with the newbuild construction service operations vessel (CSOV) named Acta Pegasus.The fourth vessel in Acta Marine’s fleet, currently under construction in Turkey, will fly the French flag, showcasing the company’s commitment to the French maritime industry and the intention to further strengthen its foothold in France.The CSOV, named Acta Pegasus, is of Ulstein SX216 design, and features an optimized hull and ability to use (e- )methanol as main fuel According to Acta Marine, t

The market for offshore support vessels has experienced tremendous development in the last couple of years. And while we expect the market to continue its positive journey, we would argue that, at least on an overall basis, the market has already recovered to healthy levels at the time of writing.There are solid underlying fundamentals that are driving the increased vessel demand, chief among them is the increased offshore upstream investment on a global level. Overall, spending on exploration and production is set to increase roughly 45% from 2021 to 2025…

Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Offshore has signed a five-year contract for its subsea construction support vessel (CSV) Normand Ocean with Prysmian Powerlink.With the contract, the vessel will be on a firm contract with Prysmian until 2032, with an additional two-year option.Prysmian has contracted the CSV Normand Ocean to support the installation of power cable systems on the company's global projects.The firm contract will start during the first or second quarter of 2027 and run until 2032.

Norwegian offshore vessel operator DOF Group has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with an undisclosed energy company for its Skandi Seven field support vessel (FSV).The LOI entails a two-year firm and one-year optional contract. The contract is defined as very large, excluding optional period and additional services, though additional details were not revealed.Under the contract, DOF plans to mobilize Skandi Seven. Startup is expected in the fourth quarter of 2024, in direct continuation from ongoing contract.In addition to vessel services…