Vard wins €220 million first-of-a-kind contract

Part of the deal is to use British suppliers throughout the build and hold an exchange programme for students in a training partnership to boost maritime competence among apprentices.

The vessels will be built to Vard’s 9 601 design, which it calls a ‘capable, safe and robust multi-purpose vessel’ that combines navigation, buoy tending, hydrographic survey and emergency response to hazards to navigation.

“The vessels for Trinity House feature a hybrid propulsion system and can operate fully on battery power while alongside, at anchor and for limited duration during dynamic positioning and transit,” Vard says. “The battery system also provides peak shaving and spinning reserve support to the main generators, minimising fuel consumption, emissions and environmental impact.

Vard also says the vessels will be ‘future proofed for the maritime energy transition’ for potential conversion to methanol fuel.

They will also have a shallow-draft hull design and propulsion will be delivered with the help of stern azimuth propulsors, a tunnel thruster and pump jet. The vessels will be equipped with two workboats, a towing winch and helideck, DPS and main deck configured for buoy handling and storage with a 30t twin hoist tension control crane and two smaller cranes.

“After a long and thorough process, we are thrilled to have been awarded the contract to renew Trinity House’s capabilities to maintain and modernise crucial marine infrastructure in UK waters,” said Vard Group CEO Cathrine Kristiseter Marti.

The vessel incorporates cyber security by design, with secure system integration, separation of operational and information technology, protected ship-to-shore data links and verified security measures built into its systems.

It features 360-degree bridge visibility over the aft working deck and forward helideck, alongside accommodation compliant with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. Crew comfort is enhanced through low-noise tunnel thrusters, a pump jet and a roll damping tank. The vessel is designed to meet Lloyd’s Register CAC(1) and ABN(Q) class notations covering onboard noise, vibration and airborne noise emissions.

Vard Interiors will deliver the turnkey accommodation, including energy-efficient HVAC-R systems. Vard Electro will supply the SeaQ power, control, bridge and communication systems as system integrator. The propulsion package includes SeaQ DC switchboards, an energy storage system with more than 3,600 kWh capacity and shore connection for zero-emission port operations. The SeaQ Green Pilot platform will monitor fuel consumption, emissions and vessel performance to support operational and regulatory reporting.

The two vessels will replace the ageing THV Patricia and THV Galatea as part of Trinity’s plans to renew their entire fleet of three vessels. Delivery is scheduled for 2029 and the vessels will be built at one of Vard’s shipyards in Norway.