Denmark’s Esvagt has returned to Cemre Shipyard in Turkey for its newest service operation vessel.
The shipowner said on Wednesday that it was planning a newbuilding after winning a deal to work for Vestas on Ecowende’s Hollandse Kust West offshore wind farm off the Netherlands, which will be commissioned in 2026.
Norway’s HAV Design said on Friday that it has been chosen to develop the ship and Cemre will build it.
HAV will also design the propulsion system and propellers.
“This is the 12th SOV that we will develop together with Esvagt, who pioneered the use of SOVs back in 2010,” said HAV Design vice president of sales Gisle Vinjevoll Thrane.
SOVs transfer technicians and spare parts to and from wind turbines and offshore substations.
They also provide accommodation for technicians, welfare facilities, offices, workshops and storage for turbine parts.
“We are highly familiar with the challenges of getting personnel safely from vessels to offshore wind turbines. That is also why we again nominate the design of this high-profile SOV to HAV Design that we trust,” said Esvagt deputy chief executive Kristian Ole Jakobsen.
The newbuilding will be the sixth purpose-built SOV that the owner has provided for Vestas.
The companies have agreed to a 15-year contract for the SOV, with extension options.
Last July, Esvagt clinched a deal with energy group Orsted to build the second in a ground-breaking series of wind farm ships.
In 2022, the pair ordered the world’s first methanol-powered SOV at Cemre, which will begin operations this year off the UK east coast.
The second ship is due in 2026, backed by a 10-year contract for the same site.
