New SOV was designed with North America in mind

Part of the shipbuilding group Fincantieri, Vard has responded to the growth of the US wind market with the Vard 4 19 design service operation vessels (SOV). “With offshore windfarm development ramping up in North America and developing nations all around the world, Vard Marine has collaborated with our parent company to develop cost-effective, shipyard-friendly solutions, tailored to this fast-paced and ever evolving segment of offshore energy,” said Vard.

For its base design, the Vard 4 19 SOV has an overall length of 84.7 m, beam of 18.9 m, depth of 7.3 m, draught of 5.5 m and accommodation for 90. Dynamic positioning class 2 capable, it has installed propulsion power of 3,000 kW, with a 2,350 kW main generator and two 310 kW-hr energy storage systems, and two 994 kW auxiliary generators. Two 1,250-kW tunnel thrusters, one 880-kW retractable thruster and one 160-kW emergency generator round out the vessel’s auxiliary machinery. The SOV also has elevator access integrated into the centrally-located tower to serve a motion-compensated gangway, working deck and spare parts area.

The company said the vessel was designed to be “economical and capable.”

Vard has already unveiled several smaller windfarm service vessels, including the smaller Vard 4 04, which is intended to accommodate 40 windfarm technicians, with a focus on efficient logistics and stepless access.

Another design, the Vard 4 07, is aimed at the market for smaller windfarms in harsh environments. It has a centre-mounted gangway, good motion characteristics and dynamic positioning capability.