Vard has delivered the Grampian Derwent service operation vessel (SOV) to North Star, the second of four SOVs designed and being built by Vard that have been chartered to support operations and maintenance (O&M) work at the 3.6 GW Dogger Bank offshore wind farm in the UK.
The delivery of Grampian Derwent comes shortly after North Star held a naming ceremony for the first SOV, Grampian Tyne , at Equinor’s Port of Tyne base in the North East of England and after Vard cut the first steel for the fourth vessel.
The newly delivered vessel is based on the Vard 4 19 hull design and has been developed with North Star specifically to handle planned maintenance on the Dogger Bank A, B and C sites and tailored for efficient operations in the harsh North Sea environment, Vard says.
The vessel has a diesel-electric propulsion system, bolstered by a battery hybrid power management and architecture, and incorporates the Voith eVSP propulsion and a drop-down azimuth thruster for field efficiency.
The SOV also features a SeaQ power package delivered by Vard Electro, providing control over the onboard power systems. This integration reduces fuel consumption, minimises emissions, improves responsiveness, and enhances safety, according to Vard.
The two remaining hybrid-electric powered SOV newbuilds are on track for being operational at Dogger Bank A, B and C by 2026, the shipbuilding company said.
In May this year, North Star signed an agreement with Vard for two commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs), with an option to order two more.
The new CSOVs, which will be of Vard 4 22 design and developed specifically for North Star, will have methanol-ready hybrid-propulsion systems and will also be equipped with technology from Vard Electro’s SeaQ portfolio.
North Star plans to expand its fleet with 40 vessels planned to serve the offshore wind industry by 2040.