Chartwell Marine has partnered with Vard to introduce the Midi SOV, a 55-metre offshore wind craft aimed at the US and European markets in 2024.
The vessel is designed to be Jones Act-compliant, ready for production in US shipyards.
As the offshore wind industry continues to grow, the demand for ever-larger CTVs has surged, with larger teams of technicians operating on increasingly scaled-up turbines.
However, owing to challenges in seakeeping and hospitality, merely increasing the dimensions of current CTV designs to create more capacity is not feasible.
The Midi SOV has been designed from the ground up to prioritise stability and operability, and to be a cost-effective solution as the offshore wind industry tackles high inflation and increasing costs in its development pipeline.
The vessel’s size hits the “sweet spot” for commercial and operational viability.
It incorporates a low waterplane shape that broadens above waterline, effectively minimising and dampening roll motion.
This allows the vessel to remain stable during operations, facilitating walk-to-work capabilities that were previously challenging for smaller scaled traditional SOV forms.
Workability and comfort are bolstered by a spacious superstructure, boasting a capacity of 36 single bunk cabins for SPS crew, 20 crew cabins, and extensive crew facilities, which include a gym, auditorium, meeting rooms, and spacious day rooms.
The vessel can be equipped with methanol-diesel dual-fuel engines, electric propulsion and a supporting energy storage system.
Chartwell Marine director Andy Page said: “Never before has there been such a pressing need to develop offshore wind vessels that are reactive to evolving operational and financial conditions.
“Far from being a disaster, we see the failure of the UK’s Round 5 offshore wind CfD auctions as an opportunity for the maritime industry to respond to the fact that developer costs are skyrocketing.”