Norwegian outfit Ulstein has held a steel cutting ceremony for a service operation vessel that will be operated by GE Renewable Energy at the 396MW Merkur offshore wind farm in the German North Sea.
The new SOV, which GE will charter from owner Bernhard Schulte, is based on the SX195 design but will be longer than two previous vessels Windea La Cour and Windea Leibniz.
It will feature a large, centrally positioned walk-to-work motion compensated gangway and elevator tower for personnel and cargo transfers, Ulstein said.
In addition, a 3D compensated crane capable of two-tonne cargo lifts will be available.
“The optimised on-board logistics include large storage capacities, of which half is under roof in a controlled environment, and stepless approach to the offshore installations,” Ulstein said.
The vessel’s drive system “includes a battery-solution”, the shipyard added.