Expanding UK-based shipowner Purus Marine has been busy inking more newbuilding orders.

Following on from a deal for four LPG carriers earlier this month, the company has contracted up to four commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) for wind farms at Fincantieri’s Vard.

The price is being kept confidential, but the order consists of two firm ships, with two options.

The Purus Wind subsidiary has committed to contribute to the next generation of battery-hybrid vessels, it said.

The new CSOVs have been designed by Vard in Norway, with a hull design optimised for low fuel consumption and resistance, as well as high operability and comfort.

The battery hybrid system prepares the vessels to run with zero emissions for periods.

The CSOVs will be prepared for charging at sea and the use of methanol in the future.

The project has been awarded funding by the Norwegian government’s Green Platform Initiative.

The owner already has four crew transfer vessels and a service operation vessel (SOV) on order at Damen Shipyards in the Netherlands.

Tom Nevin, business head of Purus Wind, said: “These vessels will support a pathway for our clients to decarbonise their operations and to maintain our position as a leader with the lowest carbon offshore wind support fleet.”

Romanian and Vietnamese yards lined up

The hull of the first vessel will be built in Romania and then outfitted in Norway.

The second ship will be built in Vietnam.

Deliveries are set for the second quarters of 2025 and 2026.

Purus is also spending more than $410m on four new 45,000-cbm midsize LPG vessels at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in South Korea for delivery in 2025 and 2026.

The ships will be able to use ammonia as a fuel and fitted with shaft generators and scrubbers.

Purus also said it has secured options for two additional vessels, without revealing delivery dates.

The LPG units are expected to primarily carry ammonia.

The company aims to run low-carbon ships in the offshore wind, LNG, ammonia and other sectors.

Big-name backing comes from US alternative financier EnTrust Global and an unnamed sovereign wealth fund.

Last month, Japanese trading house Itochu revealed it has also invested in Purus with a view to co-owning ships to help decarbonise the industry.