Havyard starts fitting out offshore wind service vessel

AUGUST 21, 2014 — Havyard’s Leirvik, Norway, shipyard is now fitting out the first of two Havyard 832 SOVs (Service Operation Vessels) for ESVAGT of Esbjerg, Denmark, which will operate them as wind farm service vessels. They are due to be delivered in December 2014 and March 2015 and are newbuilds 118 and 119 from Havyard Ship Technology.

After a month on tow from Turkey, where the hull was built, build number 118 arrived in Leirvik earlier this month and was assigned a place in dry dock.

Havyard, already experienced in designing and building vessels for the fishing and offshore oil industries, sees the ESVAGT orders as opening the door to a new market: renewable energy.

“The essential thing about this design is that the service technicians board the wind turbines via a heave-compensated walkway, which means it is important that the vessel’s movements are gentle and calm,” explains Arve Helsem Leine, Design Manager at Havyard Design & Solutions.

The vessel is specially adapted to its assignments and has workshops and a large storeroom aft for parts and spare parts for the wind turbines.

“There are also good facilities on board, such as a cinema, exercise room and game room, to ensure job satisfaction,” says Mr. Leine. “And, not least, everyone has their own cabin.”

The vessel has accommodations for 40 service technicians from Siemens, which is the operator. In addition, the vessel will have a crew of 20.

Its sister vessel, build number 119, will be launched at the shipyard in Turkey in September and will be towed to Leirvik the same month for further fitting out.

“We expect that this design will meet the shipowner’s and the operator’s wishes and requirements and we are confident that there will be demand for more vessels of this kind,” says Mr. Leine. “Offshore wind turbines are still in their infancy, and here we are involved right from the start.”

Key figures Havyard 832 SOV:
Length: 83.7 m
Width: 17.60 m
Speed: 14 knots