Norwegian company Ostensjo Rederi has signed a letter of intent for the construction of four commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) to meet demand for work in the offshore wind sector.
The vessels will be 88.3 metres in length and will be delivered from early 2022 and onwards.
They will serve as mother ships for turbine technicians as they perform commissioning and maintenance work on offshore wind farms, the company said.
Each vessel will have accommodation for 97 technicians and 23 crew, anti-heeling and roll reduction systems and a motion-compensated gangway with an adjustable pedestal.
The ships will also be equipped with a battery hybrid propulsion system, which together with other energy saving equipment will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.
Fellow Norwegian outfit Salt Ship Design will design the vessels, with Astilleros Gondan in Spain carrying out construction.
Clarksons Platou Securities and DNB Markets, a part of DNB Bank, have been engaged as financial advisors in the project. Advokatfirmaet BAHR is legal advisor.
Ostensjo Rederi chief executive Kenneth Walland said: “Ostensjo Rederi is very excited about this newbuilding programme.
“Significant growth is expected in the offshore wind market over the next decades and we are confident these CSOVs will be the optimal and preferred tool for our clients.
“Ostensjo Rederi has been working in the offshore wind market since 2016, and with the delivery of our first two service operation vessels in 2018, the company has established itself as a major player in this market.
“In addition to our existing vessels, both on long term contracts with Orsted, the four newbuildings will further strengthen our market position in offshore wind.”