Fred Olsen Windcarrier is to take a 51% ownership stake in jack-up vessel Seafox 5 from Seafox International.
The deal will see the vessel join Fred Olsen Windcarrier’s transport and installation fleet – Brave Tern and Bold Tern – for work in the offshore wind sector, with its first job on the 497MW Hohe See project in the German North Sea next year.
Singapore-based Keppel Offshore and Marine indirectly owns the remaining 49% of the vessel.
Seafox 5 is a 151-metre long multi-purpose, four-legged, self-propelled DP2 jack-up, with a 1200-tonne crane and accommodation for 150 people.
It was built in 2012 and is capable of operating in water depths up to 65 metres, Fred Olsen Windcarrier said.
Fred Olsen Ocean chief executive Even Larsen said: “We very much look forward to welcoming Seafox 5 to the Fred Olsen Windcarrier fleet. Seafox 5 is a highly capable vessel well suited to operate in the deepest waters and towards the most challenging offshore wind farms emerging in Europe, Asia and the US.
“To us, this marks an important investment and the vessel will be a perfect supplement to our current fleet. We believe in offshore wind and this acquisition further strengthens our position in the growing global offshore wind market.
“For the Seafox 5 we look forward to partner up with Keppel Offshore and Marine, a highly reputable player within offshore marine solutions.”