Norwegian company OIM Wind is aiming to muscle in on the growing wind turbine installation sector with an innovative new vessel order in China.
OIM said it has contracted one firm BT-220IU design at CIMC Raffles, with an option attached.
The vessel is thought to be the first of its kind capable of running on LNG. It will also feature battery packs.
The firm ship is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2022.
The vessel's hull will be 130 metres long and will house 120 workers in single cabins with private bathrooms.
No price has been given for the order, but WTIVs can cost $300m or more.
OSM to handle management
The ship will be managed by Norway's OSM Maritime.
The jack-up vessel is being developed by OIM together with CIMC and Swedish designer Basstech.
The unit will be able to carry and install four of the biggest next-generation turbines of 130 metres in height.
The Huisman heavy-lift crane on board will be able to handle 2,600 tonnes, with a hook height of 165 metres above deck.
The vessel will be able to operate in 67 metres of water.
Parent OIM was set up in 2013 by chief executive Oddgeir Indrestrand, an experienced oil and gas engineer.
The company provided "innovative solutions" for the offshore industry, focusing on jack-up rigs in the harsh environment market.
The company has since diversified into wind and aquaculture.
"We are growing across the different industries by applying knowledge gained from decades within the offshore oil and gas and gas industry," OIM said.
In August, OIM joined forces with TSC Group Holdings, a Hong Kong-listed company that provides equipment for oil rigs. TSC stepped in as a major shareholder.
