ULSTEIN to Build 2 Offshore Wind Service Vessels

Posted by Eric Haun January 13, 2015

Image courtesy of the Ulstein Group

Ulstein Verft has signed a shipbuilding contract with the Germany-based Bernhard Schulte for two service operation vessels (SOVs) of the ULSTEIN SX175 design developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions. The final detailed arrangements and equipment for the vessels have been developed and specified in cooperation with WINDEA Offshore GmbH & Co. KG, which is the Bernhard Schulte’s affiliate for offshore wind projects.

“Delivery schedule reliability was our number one priority when choosing the ship yard. We considered several yards worldwide, but Ulstein Verft was our final choice. They have a solid reputation, not only on keeping to delivery schedules, but also of delivering innovative vessels of high quality,” said Matthias Müller, Business Development Director at Bernhard Schulte.

Christian Brozinski, Business Development Manager at WINDEA, added, “After working together very closely and successfully in the design phase with Ulstein Design & Solutions, we are pleased to continue the project with ULSTEIN by choosing their yard. The collaborative design team consisting of ULSTEIN, WINDEA and Bernhard Schulte created a vessel which perfectly fits the needs of the offshore wind industry.”

“Sustainable growth is essential for ULSTEIN and we have previously delivered ship designs within the renewable energy segment. We look forward to cooperating with WINDEA, who are a new and interesting partner for us,” said Ulstein Group CEO, Gunvor Ulstein.

“These are the first service operation vessels for the wind industry to be built at the yard and we look forward to delivering two state-of-the-art vessels in Q2 2016 and Q1 2017,” commented Kristian Sætre, Managing Director at Ulstein Verft.

The vessels can accommodate 60 people in single cabins, of which 40 cabins are dedicated to technicians who service wind turbines. An offshore wind service vessel’s most important task is to stay positioned on DP close to the turbines, with as little movements as possible, in order to provide a safe transfer for the technicians from the vessel through a heave compensated gangway to the turbines.

The vessels will be the first of the ULSTEIN SX175 design, developed to meet the requirements for the offshore wind industry. Important features are the new X-STERN hull line design as well as the proven X-BOW. The vessel can operate with stern or front towards wind, waves and current, increasing the operational window.

“We have had a close and very good cooperation with the owner during the process and are very pleased that WINDEA chose this innovative solution, and that the first vessels with X-STERN will be built,” states Kolbjørn Moldskred, Sales Manager Offshore Wind at Ulstein Design & Solutions.