VARD, one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialised vessels, has announced that Cochin Shipyard Limited in India is building two Service Operation Vessels (SOVs), one of VARD 4 07 and one of VARD 4 19 design for North Star.
Cochin Shipyard Limited is a partly public, government shipyard in India. In the last three decades the company has emerged as a forerunner in the Indian shipbuilding and ship repair industry. VARD has previously delivered 12 designs to Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
The first hybrid electric SOV to be delivered by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. is of VARD 4 07 design and is tailored to meet North Star’s specific requirements. The focus has been to develop a competitive and compact vessel with a fuel-efficient configuration providing high operability. The ship has fully equipped accommodations for a total of 55 persons and a 3D motion compensated crane. Side loading warehouse facilities with step-less access to the height adjustable 3D motion compensated gangway ensure efficient flow of goods and technicians.
The vessel is to be delivered to North Star for a long-term charter with one of the largest energy companies in Germany and Europe, EnBW, to operate the He Dreiht wind farm. Scheduled to commence long-term charter with EnBW from the end of next year, the walk-to-work vessel will host technicians as they maintain the 64 wind turbines. The SOV will also act as a logistics hub and warehouse.
The second SOV is of VARD 4 19 design and is very similar to vessels formerly delivered to North Star from VARD.
The hybrid electric VARD 4 19 design will accommodate up to 80 persons in single cabins, thereof 60 of its client’s wind technicians to support maintenance operations across all 95 wind turbines at the East Anglia Hub development. This SOV is due to be delivered to Siemens Gamesa to commence operations in late 2026.
Both vessels will be equipped with an extensive SeaQ system package from Vard Electro that enables a hybrid diesel-battery-electric propulsion system for enhanced energy efficiency. In addition, the high specification VARD 4 19 vessel will be designed with an even more advanced power system that combines the DC Switchboard with the SeaQ Energy Storage System. This integration will streamline onboard energy utilisation and optimise distribution systems, leading to higher overall efficiency in all operating modes.
For complete control and monitoring of the vessels, including fuel consumption optimisation, Vard Electro will deliver a comprehensive digital scope including SeaQ Integrated Automation System, SeaQ Power Management System, SeaQ Energy management system, and SeaQ Green Pilot.
The flexibility and expertise behind the SeaQ technology ensures that the SeaQ solutions can be seamlessly integrated and adapted to a great variety of vessel sizes and operational needs in the offshore energy segment. This demonstrates Vard Electro’s position as a reliable and trusted partner of advanced maritime technology.
North Star is the market leading UK provider of mission critical, offshore infrastructure support services to offshore wind and offshore oil and gas markets.
Once again VARD is delivering a vessel design and equipment package for an external shipyard.
“VARD has a long-term relationship with both Cochin Shipyard Ltd. and North Star, and we are grateful to continue the cooperation by supporting them with the design and building at an external shipyard,” said Ove Dimmen, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing in VARD. “This contract enables us to participate in markets that reach beyond our own production capacity.”
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