Chartwell Marine and the Cooperative Association of Japan Shipbuilders (CAJS) have signed a memorandum of understanding to support development and local construction of vessels for Japan’s offshore wind industry.
The partnership will focus on crew transfer vessels (CTVs) and service operation vessels (SOVs) based on Chartwell Marine conceptual designs introduced in Japan through a Nippon Foundation-supported programme led by CAJS, the companies said.
Under the agreement, Chartwell Marine and CAJS will support Japanese shipowners, operators and shipyards on potential vessel projects and early design development, while CAJS acts as a bridge between domestic stakeholders and Chartwell to facilitate communication and knowledge exchange, the organisations added.
“As Japan’s offshore wind sector ramps up and demand for locally built support vessels grows, collaboration with experienced international design partners is increasingly important,” said Hiroyuki Nishida, managing director of the Cooperative Association of Japan Shipbuilders.
“Chartwell brings extensive experience in the design and delivery of proven CTV and SOV vessels operating in global markets,” he added.
“By working together, we can help support the development of locally constructed vessels and contribute to the long-term growth of the industry.”
“We are pleased to formalise our collaboration with CAJS, building on the work we have been doing together since 2023,” said Andy Page, managing director of Chartwell Marine.
“Their efforts in connecting shipyards and enabling cooperation are helping lay the foundations for a stronger offshore wind vessel supply chain in Japan.”
The agreement could also extend to support other advanced vessel types, including battery-powered and hybrid high-speed passenger vessels.