New Windward Offshore consortium orders 2+2 CSOVs

Image: Vard

Windward Offshore has placed an order for two hybrid, green methanol ready, commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) with Fincantieri’s Norwegian-headquartered Vard subsidiary that includes an option for two additional vessels. The first CSOV is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2025. Its hull will be built in Romania, while the final outfitting, commissioning and delivery will be carried out in Norway. The second vessel will be built and delivered by Vard’s Vung Tau, Vietnam, shipyard.

Windward Offshore is a new consortium led by the Rickmers family’s SeaRenergy Group, the offshore wind services arm of its Asian Spirit Steamship Company.

“The Rickmers family has now decided to, again, actively support the energy transition and be a first mover to ensure availability of attractive vessel capacity in 2025 and beyond, when the wind farm projects currently under planning and permitting will be installed and commissioned,” said Clasen Rickmers, owner of SeaRenergy and the Asian Spirit Steamship Company GmbH & Cie. KG (ASSC). “I am proud to be able to manage the transition of our fleet together with the partners in Windward. I am convinced of the potential of this investment and cannot emphasize enough that this strategic move enables us to provide customers and partners with state-of-the-art and future-proof offshore wind tonnage.”

“While the changes in the political framework have fostered the entry of new developers into the offshore wind market, the investment activities in the offshore wind infrastructure are still by far too low,” said SeaRenergy Group CEO Dr. Benjamin Vordemfelde. “ASSC has now decided to, again, be a first mover in this field to ensure availability of attractive vessel capacity in 2025 and beyond, when the wind farm projects currently under planning and permitting will be installed and commissioned.”

Other Windward Offshore consortium members are Blue Star Group GmbH & Cie. KG, Athens-headquartered dry bulk specialist Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), and SeraVerse GmbH.

“We are excited to announce our entry into a new sector of the shipping industry through a strategic partnership involving the acquisition of two CSOV vessels,” said Diana Shipping CEO Semiramis Paliou. “We view this investment as another attestation to our commitment for a greener and more sustainable future.”

The Vard 4 19 design CSOVs ordered by Windward Offshore have a length of 87.5-meter vessels and a beam of 19.5 meters. They will be equipped with a height-adjustable motion-compensated gangway with elevator system, and a height-adjustable boat landing system. To achieve energy-efficient and smart operations at sea, the vessels will be outfitted with a comprehensive SeaQ package from Vard Electro that includes systems and solutions for power, control, bridge, and communication. The vessels are also prepared for operation on green methanol. The CSOVs will have an accommodation for 120 persons on board.

“We are proud that Windward Offshore/SeaRenergy chose Vard as their partner when deciding to enter the CSOV/SOV market. Vard enables sustainable business at sea and aims to lead the green and technological transition in maritime operations. This partnership with ASSC/SeaRenergy shows that we are on our way to achieve these goals. We welcome Windward Offshore/SeaRenergy into the offshore and specialized vessels market and thank them for the opportunity. We look forward to continuous collaboration,” said Vard CEO Alberto Maestrini.