Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) has been awarded long-term contracts by Vattenfall to build, own and operate up to three service operation vessels (SOVs).
The contract award followed a “complex and competitive” European tender process that took place throughout 2024.
The terms include two firm SOVs and one optional SOV, which will be deployed to support offshore wind farm operations and maintenance in the North Sea.
The first SOV will enter service in mid-2027 on the DanTysk and Sandbank offshore wind farms, each with a 288MW capacity.
The second SOV will commence operations before the end of 2027, servicing the Nordlicht 1 and 2 wind farms, with a capacity of 980MW and 630MW, respectively.
The third, optional SOV, is intended for future projects in the North Sea.
Pavlo Malyshenko, head of offshore generation at Vattenfall Wind, said: “The vessels will support our mission of safe, reliable, and sustainable operation and delivery on cost efficiency ambitions in Sandbank and DanTysk, as well as the coming Nordlicht 1 and 2 wind farms.
“This will strengthen competitiveness of our far offshore wind assets and our position as one of the leading wind developers and operators in Northern Europe.”
The vessels will be registered under the French flag and have been specifically designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions during both operations and transit while meeting the harsh conditions of the North Sea all year long.
Special care has been taken to enhance the safety and efficiency of the workflows, ensuring technicians have optimal working conditions.
Additionally, the vessels feature very spacious and comfortable living quarters for rest periods.
“We are proud to establish this new partnership with Vattenfall, recognizing our expertise in designing and operating purpose-built SOVs,” said Edouard Louis-Dreyfus, president of LDA.
“This reinforces our ambitions in the global offshore wind industry, and our commitment to decarbonisation.”
This contract strengthens LDA’s position as a key player in the offshore wind sector, demonstrating the company’s continued growth in the SOV market alongside its established presence in the crew transfer vessel market.
Key features of the SOVs include a double-ended hull form with two propellers at both ends, ensuring precise dynamic positioning capabilities and increased flexibility during offshore operations as well as azimuth thrusters and an adjustable-height stern boat landing to optimise technician safe transfers between turbines.
The vessels also feature a walk-to-work gangway located close to the vessel centerline for safe, and efficient personnel transfers on both sides of the ship, a 3D crane to perform cargo transfers, client offices and meeting rooms with large windows, providing clear views of transfer operations, hotel-standard accommodation, segregated from working areas, with a focus on rest and relaxation during standby periods.