Fincantieri’s Vard subsidiary has clinched a deal to build a hybrid power cable-layer and construction ship for a Japanese owner.
The new design has been commissioned by contractor Toyo Construction.
Vard said the deal is worth more than $200m.
Toyo operates civil and architecture construction businesses domestically and internationally.
Its speciality is offshore construction, including container terminals.
However, the hybrid ship has been developed for Toyo’s offshore wind farm work.
The hull is being shaped to suit the natural construction conditions in Japan, allowing it to be used in both shallow and deep waters.
The bespoke ship is 150 metres long, with accommodation for 90 workers.
It will have a four-point mooring system and helideck.
A large battery pack will be used, as well as a shore supply connection.
Torgeir Haugan, senior vice president of Vard sales, said: “The cable-layer is a modern and complex vessel of high standards built according to Japanese regulations primarily for the Japanese offshore wind farm and international market, making it a unique opportunity for both Toyo and Vard to be established as a key player in the Japanese wind farm market.”
Important role to play
Toyo Construction president Haruhisa Obayashi said the ship will be the company’s biggest.
“We expect that Vard’s world-class design and engineering capabilities will enable the vessel to play an important role in the construction of offshore wind power generation facilities in Japan,” he added.
The hull will be built at Vard Shipyards Romania in Tulcea and be outfitted and delivered from one of Vard’s shipyards in Norway in the second quarter of 2026.
Toyo Construction has set up a company with Japanese shipowner Mitsui OSK Lines on a 50/50 basis to collaborate on developing a wind farm ship.
