VARD to build new North Star CSOVs

The agreement also has an option for two additional ships.

North Star, owned by private markets firm Partners Group since 2022, operates the largest wholly UK-owned fleet in the North Sea. The firm has committed to delivering 40 offshore wind ships by 2040 to meet the growing demand for offshore wind operations and maintenance support across the UK and Europe.

The new ships will be of VARD 4 22 design with an optimised hull for low fuel consumption and resistance. The VARD 4 22 design has been developed especially for North Star, with new methanol ready hybrid-propulsion solutions and an increased number of single cabins.

These vessels are the next in a series of orders North Star has contracted with VARD so far. In 2021, the firm placed four SOV newbuild orders with VARD in Vietnam to support the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank, on long term charters. The first three ships will begin operations this year, ahead of schedule, with the final one to be delivered in 2024.