Ostensjo Group’s offshore wind business Edda Wind has signed long-term time charter agreements with MHI Vestas and Ocean Breeze Energy, respectively, for two of four offshore wind vessels it has ordered from Spanish yards.
The charter with MHI Vestas is for a service operation vessel (SOV) that will start in second quarter 2022 for 15 years.
The Ocean Breeze deal will start in the first quarter of 2021 and run for 11 years.
It will be served by a frontrunner vessel for the first year before a newbuild SOV is delivered in the first quarter 2022.
Norwegian company Ostensjo said the vessels will be delivered with technology that reduces greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum 30%, and are also prepared for installation of zero emission hydrogen technology.
The vessels will serve as mother ships for turbine technicians as they perform commissioning and maintenance offshore.
The CSOVs will 88.3 metres long and accommodate 120 people, while the SOVs are 82.4 metres in length and hold 60 people.
Ostensjo Rederi chief executive Kenneth Walland said: “It is fantastic for us to be able to secure long term charters for two of our four newbuilds.
“The trust experienced SOV users like MHI Vestas and Ocean Breeze have in Edda Wind, is a confirmation that the vessels we have developed are very attractive and will become optimal tools for our clients.
“With these two contracts, Edda Wind has become a major player in the offshore wind market.”
MHI Vestas chief operations officer Flemming Ougaard said: “When MHI Vestas was assessing suppliers for our newest service operation vessels, Edda Wind stood out for many reasons, one of which was their emphasis on decarbonising their next-generation fleet of supply vessels.
“We are pleased that their new technology will enable us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our service fleet.
“Further, the upside of potentially fuelling the SOV with zero-emission hydrogen is very exciting and supports our objectives to decarbonise our operations.”
Ocean Breeze Energy chief executive Jean Huby said: “As operator of the BARD Offshore 1 wind farm, a pioneer project situated 100km away from the shore, Ocean Breeze Energy is constantly improving its logistics set-up in order best to address the challenges of far-offshore operations.
“Following an extensive market screening using the know-how we have accumulated over almost 10 years of operation, we are very pleased to reach a new milestone – entering a long-term partnership with Edda Wind for a best in class, environmentally sustainable vessel tailored to our needs.”
Edda Wind has signed a construction contract for two CSOVs at Astilleros Gondan and a construction contract for two SOVs at Astilleros Balenciaga.
The second SOV and CSOV will both be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2022.
The newbuilds are designed by Salt Ship Design, Norway in close cooperation with Ostensjo Rederi.