Bourbon has entered into a strategic partnership with IWS Fleet, the vessel owning company of Integrated Wind Solutions (IWS), to serve the French offshore wind market.
The agreement will allow Bourbon to market and operate IWS’ “Skywalker class” wind farm specialised support walk-to-work vessels in France.
The ship management will be performed by the French affiliate Bourbon Offshore Surf, with a footprint on French Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, as the group currently employs about 500 French seafarers with relevant offshore experience.
IWS has four vessels under construction, the two first IWS vessels will be delivered in the second and third quarters of 2023 and the remaining two in the first half of 2024.
The company holds options for ordering two additional “Skywalker class” vessels.
With this partnership, Bourbon aims to offer a range of services dedicated to the maintenance of offshore wind farms.