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Vard Lands Record $800M Order for Deep-Sea Research Vessel
Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has signed a contract with research organization Inkfish for the design and construction of a deep-sea research vessel based on the VARD 9 42 design, in a deal valued at nearly $810 million (€700 million).The company said the contract is the largest order ever secured by Vard for a single vessel and the largest order of its kind for a Norwegian shipyard.The vessel, known as RV11000 during the project phase, will be 162 meters long with a beam of 28 meters.
Orange Marine Orders Two More Cable Laying and Repair Vessels from Vard
Norwegian ship designer and builder VARD has secured on order from France’s Orange Marine for two additional cable laying and repair vessels of the VARD 9 03 design, to be built at Colombo Dockyard in Sri Lanka.The vessels will be based on the same design as CS Sophie Germain, delivered to Orange Marine in July 2023.The order continues a long-standing collaboration between VARD and Orange Marine that began in 2012…
Island Offshore’s Hybrid OECV Hits Water at Vard Yard in Romania (Video)
Island Offshore’s new hybrid Ocean Energy Construction Vessel (OECV) has been launched to the water at Vard Shipyards Romania in Brăila.The 120-meter vessel, labeled NB 977, is designed to support offshore operations with reduced environmental impact. The vessel, of VARD 3 25 design, will be equipped with a 250-tonne heave-compensated subsea crane, DP2 capability and accommodation for up to 130 personnel.The…
Windward Offshore Takes Delivery of Vard-Built CSOV
Vard, the Norwegian subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group, has delivered the second Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) to Windward Offshore, named Windward Paris.The naming ceremony was held at the delivery yard, Vard Brattvaag in Norway on January 28, 2026.Windward Paris is the second CSOV Vard has delivered to Windward Offshore, one week before contractual delivery date.The first vessel Windward Athens…
Nuclear-Powered DP Vessels Technically Feasible, Vard Study Shows
A study led by Vard, a subsidiary of Italy’s Fincantieri, has found that nuclear-powered offshore vessels are technically feasible, confirming that small fourth-generation nuclear reactors can be integrated into dynamically positioned vessels while meeting safety, redundancy and operational requirements.Results from the NuProShip II research and innovation project show that nuclear propulsion can support DP2 power architectures…
Norwind Offshore Takes Delivery of CSOV Newbuild from Vard
Norwind Offshore has taken delivery delivery of Norwind Maestro commissioning service operations vessel (CSOV) from Vard Søviknes, further expanding its managed fleet and reinforcing long-term commitment to supporting offshore wind farm operations.The 85-meter long Norwind Maestro CSOV has become the sixth vessel in Norwind Offshore’s fleet.The vessel, of VARD 4 19 design, will immediately start its 10-year contract at the Global Tech 1 Offshore Wind Farm in Germany, supporting operations and fu
Vard to Build Four New Multi-Purpose Robotic Vessels for Ocean Infinity
Vard, the Norwegian subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group, has signed a new contract with existing customer Ocean Infinity for the design and construction of four Multi-Purpose Robotic Vessels (MPVs).The contract, whose value exceeds $230 million (€200 million), also includes a comprehensive scope of supply from Vard Electro, which will deliver the full suite of SeaQ systems for remote operations.Also…
VARD Forms Research and Innovation Partnership with NORCE
VARD has recently signed an agreement (MoU) with the major Norwegian research institute NORCE, establishing a strategic partnership to cooperate on research and innovation.The agreement encompasses topics such as design, construction, on board and underwater maintenance and drone technology for ships and subsea technology, with particular focus on the planned standardized vessels of the Norwegian Navy.
Vard Electro Inks Service Pact for Krill Harvest Vessels
Vard Electro, a subsidiary of the Fincantieri-owned Vard Group, entered into a three-year service level agreement (SLA) with Aker QRILL Company, a leader in krill harvesting. The contract covers a fleet of four krill harvesting vessels and two cargo vessels.A central part of the agreement is fleet-wide spare parts coverage. The SLA also includes annual preventive maintenance, technical support, and crew training for Antarctic Endurance…
Vard Electro Gets Onboard PSV-to-Research Vessel Conversion Project
Vard Electro, a subsidiary of the Fincantieri-owned Vard Group, has signed an agreement with the German shipyard Lloyd Werft for the delivery of complete automation and power management systems to a Platform Supply Vessel (PSV) currently being converted into a research vessel.The scope of supply covers the removal of the vessel’s existing automation systems, replacing it with Vard Electro’s advanced SeaQ Integrated Automation System (IAS) and SeaQ Power Management System (PMS)…
Vard Picks SMST to Supply Equipment for North Star’s New SOVs
Dutch offshore equipment supplier SMST has secured a new contract from Norwegian shipbuilder Vard for the delivery of two sets of mission equipment to be installed on an additional two of North Star’s newbuild Service Operation Vessels (SOVs).These vessels are part of a long-term charter agreement between shipowner and operator North Star and energy company RWE.SMST previously supplied similar equipment for the first two CSOVs…
Brunvoll to Supply Propulsion for North Star’s New CSOVs
Brunvoll has entered into an agreement with VARD for the delivery of complete propulsion and maneuvering systems for two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs). The owner of these new vessels is North Star.Each of the two CSOVs will be equipped, from aft to bow, with two azimuth propulsion thrusters, a retractable azimuth thruster, a tunnel thruster, and a combined retractable azimuth/tunnel thruster.
VARD’s CSOV Newbuild Pair to Feature Brunvoll Propulsion Systems
Maritime system supplier Brunvoll has signed a contract with Vard to deliver complete propulsion and maneuvering systems for two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs).The vessels, being built for international owner, will be equipped with from aft to bow with two azimuth propulsion thrusters propulsion, a retractable azimuth thruster, a tunnel thruster, and a combined retractable azimuth…
Vard Delivers Windward Offshore’s First CSOV
Windward Offshore has taken delivery of its first Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), Windward Athens, built by Norwegian shipbuilder Vard.The vessel represents a major milestone on Windward Offshore’s growth path and marks the company’s entry into operations with its dedicated CSOV fleet.The Windward Athens is designed to support installation, commissioning, and maintenance activities in offshore wind farms.Measuring 87.5 meters in length with a 19.5-meter beam…
Atlantic Shrike PSV Achieves 11% Fuel Reduction with SeaQ Retrofit
Atlantic Towing Limited has achieved a milestone in its decarbonization journey with the successful retrofit of the Atlantic Shrike. Equipped with Vard Electro’s SeaQ Energy Storage System, the Platform Supply Vessel has recorded an 11% fuel savings across all operations and substantial CO2 savings.As the maritime industry faces mounting pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance fuel efficiency, vessel owners are seeking solutions to modernize their fleets.
Vard Secures Seismic Vessel Conversion Job
Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has signed a contract with Norway-based Sanco Shipping for the conversion of the seismic research vessel Sanco Sailor into a seismic source vessel.Sanco Shipping contracted PGS Apollo, now renamed Sanco Sailor, earlier in 2025, ahead of conversion job at Vard Langsten.Vard’s scope of work includes significant structural modifications, upgrades to existing seismic equipment…
North Star Orders Two New Hybrid SOVs from Vard
Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has secured an order from U.K.’s largest shipowner and operator North Star for the construction of two hybrid Service Operation Vessels (SOVs).The contract represents the ninth and tenth vessel ordered by North Star from VARD, following previous orders for four SOVs, two Construction Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs), and two Vard Design vessels built at an external shipyard.The new vessels will be developed by Vard Design in Ålesund…
Vard Books Construction Order for CSOV Pair
Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has signed a contract for the design and construction of two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) for an undisclosed international customer.The agreement, valued between $115 million and $230 million, also has an option for one additional vessel Vard said.The two CSOVs are of VARD 4 19 design developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway. The design is upgraded,…
Vard, Inkfish Sign Shipbuilding Contract for New Research Vessel
Vard, the Norwegian subsidiary of the Group and one of the world's leading builders of specialized vessels, has signed a new contract with the US research organization Inkfish for the design and construction of an advanced research vessel. The deal is valued at over USD$233 million (€200 million).The custom-built research vessel, designated Project RV6000, is specifically designed for scientific exploration.
First Steel Cut for Rem Offshore’s Third Vard-Built CSOV
The official steel cutting ceremony for the third commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) Vard is building for Rem Offshore has been held in Vietnam earlier in July, marking the start of construction for the vessel set for delivery in late 2026.The first steel for the vessel was cut on July 1 at Vard Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam.The vessel NB 983 is the sister vessel to the NB 948 vessel, named REM Wind…
