Vard secures second approval in principle for service operation vessel

The first ABS AIP was awarded to Vard in late 2019 for the Vard 4 07 US SOV. This was the first Jones Act SOV AIP awarded.

This recent AIP, which was awarded by on 19 June 2020, addresses a customised version of the Vard 4 19 US SOV design, with primary functions including accommodation, transferring technicians to installations as well as storing spare parts and tools for operations in US offshore windfarms.

Vard designed the vessel to be environmentally friendly with a focus on low fuel consumption and ease of construction.

The design incorporates a hullform designed for all weather conditions which, together with the specified propulsion configuration, offers economical steaming, enhanced seakeeping abilities, and excellent station keeping performance.

The vessel is optimised to reduce motions and accelerations in all degrees of freedom with the aim to increase operability and comfort.

The vessel will have the ABS Class notation + A1, OFFSHORE SUPPORT VESSEL (WIND-SC), +AMS, + ACCU, DPS-2, HAB(WB.)

Vard Marine Houston vice president Darren Truelock said, “Delivery schedules and price points over the next year will be tested and squeezed in order to bring the right vessels online at the right time and within budget.

“Vard is focusing on the US SOV market since these vessels are within our expertise and we can leverage our extensive Jones Act knowledge of the US offshore service vessel market in addition to our existing relationships with shipbuilders and industry.”