MPC Capital, OS Energy order new-generation service vessels for offshore wind market

The purpose-designed offshore survey and service vessels (OSSVs) will be used primarily in offshore windfarms in the North Sea and Baltic. They will be suitable for a wide range of services such as subsea inspection, environmental and seabed surveys and equipment supply.

The companies have placed a contract for the construction of the first vessel at the Danish Esbjerg Shipyard and have secured the option for five further units. Delivery of the first vessel is expected in the first half of 2026. Together, they are investing around €130M (US$140M) in the vessels. 

MPC Capital and OS Energy will anchor investors for the newbuilds with debt financing for the first vessel provided by Ostfriesische Volksbank. Credit committee approval has also been obtained for the deal.

The design is the result of collaboration between MPC Capital, OS Energy, Esbjerg Shipyard and OSK Design and will be highly capable of  ‘CO2-neutral’ operation. The ships will have a moonpool for use during subsea inspection and hydrographic surveys, a scalable 400-kWh battery storage system and a DP2 dynamic positioning system.

The companies anticipate the OSSVs will secure charters from the energy industry, research institutes as well as public authorities and offer diversified revenue potential. They will use a mix of long-term charters, multi-year contracts and short-term deployments to take advantage of seasonal demand. 

MPC Capital chief executive Constantin Baack said the project enables the company to “expand into a new and highly exciting sector.” He said the companies anticipate that demand for service vessels is set to grow significantly, “and there are no comparable vessels available in the market.

OS Energy managing director Vincent Nürnberg said, “We have been in the offshore wind market for many years. Through the regular exchange of experience with our customers, we have jointly developed a new generation of emissions-free, flexible and reliable vessels.”