VESSELS

First of six ‘Skywalker’ CSOVs delivered

3 years ago

The first of six identical commissioning service operation vessels, specifically built to work at offshore wind farms, has been delivered for Integrated Wind Solutions (IWS) through its wholly owned subsidiary, IWS Fleet AS.

It will be commissioned at Dogger Bank, thought to be the world’s biggest offshore wind farm, off the northeast coast of the UK.

The other five CSOVs, all being built by the China Merchants Industry Holdings company, are scheduled for delivery in 2024 and 2025.

The vessels or claiming a number of firsts.

Designed by Kongsberg Maritime, they are hybrid powered, equipped with the latest generation 3D compensated gangway and crane systems, and carry solar panels for additional power alongside the largest battery packs in the industry, IWS says.

“The vessels have a novel hull and propulsion design that increases operability and reduces emissions,” says the company. “The vessels are the first in the industry to have the “DNV SILENT” notation, which focuses on minimising the impact on marine life below water.”

“IWS Skywalker is a milestone achievement for Integrated Wind Solutions,” said CEO Lars-Henrik Røren. “IWS is now well positioned to deliver on the strategy of bundling vessels with integrated services. We look forward to the next chapter in the IWS journey of providing high-quality services to our clients and contributing to a more sustainable future.”

“IWS Skywalker marks a new chapter for IWS Fleet where we will showcase our operational capabilities,” said Christopher Heidenreich, COO and managing director of IWS Fleet AS. “IWS Fleet is committed to sustainable and efficient operations, and we look forward to starting our first charter contract for the Dogger Bank Wind Farm in Q1.”