Norway-based Kongsberg Maritime has signed a contract with IWS Fleet, a fully owned subsidiary of Integrated Wind Solutions (IWS), to deliver vessel design and integrated technology packages for four new Skywalker Class commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs).
The agreement will see the vessels built at Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipment, with the ships intended to support activities within the growing offshore wind sector.
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The newbuild vessels are based on Kongsberg Maritime’s UT 5519 DEx design, the latest iteration of the Skywalker Class.
Previous deliveries of the design began in 2023 and six vessels have been supplied to date. The latest order increases the Skywalker Class series to a total of ten vessels.
The CSOVs are designed for offshore wind farm operations, acting as walk-to-work platforms that allow technicians to live and work offshore for prolonged periods while supporting commissioning, operation and maintenance activities.
Each vessel can accommodate up to 120 personnel in onboard living quarters.
The vessels’ double-ended design is intended to boost operational efficiency by enabling rapid manoeuvring between turbines and decreasing transit times within wind farms.
Kongsberg Maritime ship design sales director Per Ståle Nykrem said: “Kongsberg Maritime is proud to continue its collaboration with IWS Fleet on this next phase of the Skywalker Class programme.
“This latest order takes the Skywalker Class series to ten vessels, underlining the confidence that owners and operators have in a design developed specifically for the requirements of offshore wind operations.”
Under the contract, Kongsberg Maritime will supply vessel design and system integration, as well as electrical power systems, navigation and bridge systems, propulsion, deck machinery and dynamic positioning.
The vessels will be equipped with rim-drive azimuth thrusters located both forward and aft, enabling a symmetrical operating profile.
These thrusters use permanent magnet motor technology for improved energy efficiency and precise vessel control.
The first of the four vessels is scheduled for delivery in 2029.
