Norway’s Edda Wind is increasing its fleet to 10 purpose-built ships with another order in Spain.

The Gondan shipyard will build a further commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) — the eighth ship it will have constructed for the Oslo-listed owner.

The ship will be prepared for hydrogen power like the others in the series, which are contracted to clients such as Orsted, Vestas, Ocean Breeze, SSE and Siemens Gamesa.

The newbuilding will be a Salt 0474 design, which is a further development of the Salt 0217, and will be delivered in April 2025. Edda Wind also has an option for one more ship.

Edda Wind, set up by Norwegian owner Ostensjo Rederi, has since welcomed the Wilhelmsen group, John Fredriksen and Idan Ofer as shareholders.

“Ordering another CSOV will further strengthen Edda Wind’s leading position within offshore wind,” chief executive Kenneth Walland said.

“Building a series of vessels like this, with the experience and knowledge we have from the vessels currently under construction, gives us an advantage both with regards to shipbuilding cost and later during operation.

“The industry has experienced an increase in shipbuilding prices of about 20% in just a year. Therefore, we are satisfied having placed an order that represents a total ready-for-sea cost in the low €60 millions,” he added.

The equity portion of the newbuilding is fully funded as part of the initial public offering in 2021.

“Tremendous growth is expected in the offshore wind market over the next decades. Edda Wind has a clear ambition to grow the fleet beyond the 10 vessels already ordered to maintain its position as a leading CSOV company,” Walland said.

Mother ship

The 89.3-metre CSOV will function as a mother ship for wind turbine technicians.

Zero emissions will be possible in the future through liquid organic hydrogen carrier technology, the company has said.

Edda Wind also revealed it has extended a charter agreement for the 82-loa service operation vessel Edda Passat (built 2018) for seven months, at day rates in excess of 25% above the previous level.

The ship has been operating for Orsted at Race Bank wind farm off eastern England, but the firm period expires in March 2023.

The deal “reflects the positive development in the SOV market”, the owner said.

Orsted has agreed to waive the remaining options it had on the vessel, leaving Edda Wind free to trade the Edda Passat in a favourable market after the charter ends.