ABS awards Vard Marine AIP for second Jones Act SOV design

Written by Nick Blenkey
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VARD 4 19 SOV design is larger than first Jones Act SOV design developed by the firm

Vard Marine Inc. reports that, with U.S. offshore wind projects picking up speed, it has been accelerating its design efforts and has now obtained its second ABS Approval in Principle (AIP) for a Jones Act SOV.

This latest AIP is for a larger version of the Vard 4 07 US SOV, for which an AIP was awarded during the 2019 iInternational Workboat Show in New Orleans. The new AIP is for a customized version of the Vard 4 19 US SOV design, with primary functions including accommodations, transferring technicians to installations as well as storing spare parts and tools for operations at U.S. offshore wind farms.

VARD 407 US SOV design gained AIP in 2019

Vard has designed the vessel to be environmentally friendly with a focus on low fuel consumption and ease of construction. 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. The vessel is optimized to reduce motions and accelerations in all degrees of freedom with the aim to increase operability and comfort.

The vessel will have the ABS Class notations + A1, OFFSHORE SUPPORT VESSEL (WIND-SC), +AMS, + ACCU, DPS-2, HAB(WB.).

“We believe that the U.S. offshore wind market holds several promising opportunities for US owners, designers and shipbuilders,” said Darren Truelock, Vice President, Vard Marine Houston. “The U.S. market seems to be moving quickly starting on the East Coast, so a purpose-built U.S. offshore wind Jones Act fleet is inevitable. This creates some challenges for U.S. 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,” adds Truelock. “Vard is focusing on the U.S/ SOV market since these vessels are within our expertise, and we can leverage our extensive Jones Act knowledge of the U.S. offshore service vessel (OSV) market in addition to our existing industry relationships and with shipbuilders.”

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