Scotland’s North Star has returned to Vard for a new order that could double its fleet of hybrid offshore wind farm ships.
The company said the Fincantieri subsidiary will build two firm commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs), with two options attached.
The deal follows an existing order at Vard for four SOVs.
North Star, backed by Partners Group, has committed to delivering 40 offshore wind ships by 2040 to meet the evolving demand of offshore wind operations in Europe.
The vessels will be Vard’s 95-metre 4 22 design, featuring the latest hull type optimised for low fuel consumption and resistance, as well as high operability and comfort.
This ship has been developed especially for North Star, with new methanol-ready hybrid-propulsion solutions. No price has been given.
The company entered the offshore wind market in 2021 after winning all four long-term charter service operations vessel (SOV) awards for Dogger Bank wind farm off northeast England.
The first three ships will commence operations this year, ahead of schedule, with the final one to be delivered from Vard in Vietnam in 2024.
North Star chief executive Matthew Gordon said: “We are thrilled to be expanding our offshore wind fleet through further building contracts with Vard.”
“We have built an excellent relationship over recent years, allowing us to bring high quality vessels to the market on time,” he added.
Vard CEO Alberto Maestrini said the contract showed Vard’s leading position in the market:
The hulls of the firm ships will be built at one of Vard’s yards in Romania and outfitted, commissioned, and delivered from one of the Norwegian plants in the first half of 2025.
Earlier this year, North Star has secured a £140m ($171m) financing package to support European expansion of its offshore wind fleet.
The offshore vessel owner said the investment included a £50m commitment from the Scottish National Investment Bank as well as IFM Investors, Edmond de Rothschild’s BRIDGE and RBC Capital Markets.
