US naval architecture consultancy Vard Marine has been granted a second ‘approval in principle’ by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a larger design variant of a Jones Act service operations vessel (SOV) for work on offshore wind farms.
The first ABS approval in principle was awarded to Vard last year.
Vard said the latest approval addresses a customised version of the Vard 4 19 US SOV design, with primary functions including accommodation, transferring technicians to installations as well as storing spare parts and tools for operations in US offshore wind farms.
The company said the design incorporates a state-of-the-art hull form designed for all weather conditions which, together with the specified propulsion configuration, offers economical steaming, enhanced seakeeping abilities and excellent station keeping performance.
Vard Marine Houston president Darren Truelock said: “We believe that the US offshore wind market holds several promising opportunities for US owners, designers and shipbuilders.
“The US market seems to be moving quickly starting on the east coast, so a purpose-built US Offshore Wind Jones Act fleet is inevitable.
“This creates some challenges for US designers and shipbuilders since the necessary SOVs need to be under construction now to support the developer’s schedules.
“Delivery schedules and price points over the next year will be tested and squeezed in order to bring the right vessels online at the right time and within budget.
“Vard is focusing on the US SOV market since these vessels are within our expertise and we can leverage our extensive Jones Act knowledge of the US offshore service Vessel market in addition to our existing relationships with shipbuilders and industry.”