VARD, a Fincantieri company, has secured contracts to design and build two commissioning service operations vessels (CSOVs) and to convert another platform supply vessel into a service operation vessel. The contracts have been awarded by Norwind Offshore, and include an option for two additional CSOVs. 

The contracts for the firm three vessels have an indicative total value of NOK 1.4 billion ($161.9 million). The two newbuildings are of VARD 4 19 design, developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway. The CSOVs are tailor-made for world-wide services and maintenance operations at offshore wind farms.

The first vessel will be outfitted and delivered from VARD in Norway in the second quarter of 2023, with the hull to be built at Vard Braila in Romania. The second vessel will be built and delivered by Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam, scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2024.

The third vessel is a conversion and sales of one of VARD’s platform supply vessels (PSV) that will be converted to a service operation vessel (SOV). The vessel has been in operation in Asia and Australia and will now sail to Vard Brattvaag in Norway for an extensive conversion and outfitting. The vessel will be delivered to Norwind Offshore in the second quarter of 2022.