Vard, the Norwegian subsidiary of the Group, one of the world’s leading specialist vessel builders, has signed a new contract with North Star, the UK’s largest shipowner-operator, for the design and construction of two hybrid Service Operation Vessels (SOV) , further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two companies and confirming their joint commitment to sustainable innovation in the maritime sector. The value of the agreement is great.
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, Norway, using the proven VARD 4 19 platform, specifically designed for offshore wind farm operations. Each vessel will be 87.5 meters long, 19.5 meters wide, and will accommodate up to 120 people on board. The vessels will be equipped with a battery-hybrid propulsion system and prepared for a future conversion to methanol fuel, demonstrating the two companies’ shared commitment to decarbonizing the maritime sector. Onboard features include a motion-compensated, height-adjustable gangway with an integrated elevator, a boarding system for safe personnel transfers, and advanced energy management solutions.
Vard Electro will supply the SeaQ integrated package, which integrates power, control, bridge, and communications systems, ensuring optimized performance and high energy efficiency. Vard Interiors will also supply HVAC-R systems and furnishing solutions, ensuring high standards of comfort and functionality on board.
The hull of the first unit will be built at the Vard shipyard in Romania – Br ã ila, followed by final outfitting and delivery at one of the group’s Norwegian shipyards, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027. The second unit will be entirely built and delivered by the Vard Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam, with delivery scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2028.
North Star has the largest wholly British-owned fleet operating in the North Sea. The company has announced its commitment to build 40 hybrid offshore wind vessels by 2040 to meet the growing demand for logistics support for operations and maintenance (O&M) activities in the UK and Europe. Partners Group, a leading global private markets firm, acquired North Star in 2022 on behalf of its clients.
