Csov News

U-Ming Marine Offshore (UMO) and Purus have teamed up to form UPO Holdings (UPO), a joint venture aimed at expanding offshore wind operations in Taiwan and the region.UPO is commissioning two state-of-the-art VARD 419 Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs), each 88 meters long and designed explicitly for Taiwan’s operating conditions.The vessels will be equipped with Seaonics All-Electric Walk-to-Work (W2W) 3D gangways, enhanced DP2 dynamic positioning, and hybrid propulsion…

Brunvoll has entered into an agreement with VARD for the delivery of complete propulsion and maneuvering systems for two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs). The owner of these new vessels is North Star.Each of the two CSOVs will be equipped, from aft to bow, with two azimuth propulsion thrusters, a retractable azimuth thruster, a tunnel thruster, and a combined retractable azimuth/tunnel thruster. Together with Brunvoll’s Propulsion and Thruster Control system, BruCon PTC…

Maritime system supplier Brunvoll has signed a contract with Vard to deliver complete propulsion and maneuvering systems for two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs).The vessels, being built for international owner, will be equipped with from aft to bow with two azimuth propulsion thrusters propulsion, a retractable azimuth thruster, a tunnel thruster, and a combined retractable azimuth and tunnel thruster.The scope of supply features also Brunvoll’s Propulsion and Thruster Control system…

Windward Offshore has taken delivery of its first Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), Windward Athens, built by Norwegian shipbuilder Vard.The vessel represents a major milestone on Windward Offshore’s growth path and marks the company’s entry into operations with its dedicated CSOV fleet.The Windward Athens is designed to support installation, commissioning, and maintenance activities in offshore wind farms.Measuring 87.5 meters in length with a 19.5-meter beam, she offers accommodation for up to 120 people and is equipped with the latest technology for safe…

Singapore-based marine logistics firm Marco Polo has hired Norwegian ship designer Salt Ship Design to design the CSOV Plus, the next-generation commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) for oil and gas and offshore wind sectors.The contract was signed between Marco Polo’s Taiwan-based subsidiary PKR Offshore, Salt Ship Design and Marco Polo Shipyard.Marco Polo Marine’s new CSOV Plus marks a significant advancement in offshore support vessel capability.The CSOV vessel will…

Germany-based Bernhard Schulte Offshore (BSO) has taken delivery of its newest Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), built by Ulstein Verft in Norway.The vessel, named Windea Clausius, was officially christened on September 4, and will serve the global offshore energy industry.Windea Clausius features two sterns and azimuth propellers at both fore and aft to ensure optimal performance in Dynamic Positioning (DP) operations, enhancing fuel efficiency.With the Ulstein’s TWIN X-STERN design…

Offshore crew transfer company Windcat has taken delivery of the Windcat Rotterdam, the first Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) in its new Elevation Series, developed with Damen Shipyards and CMB.TECH.Built at Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam, the 89-metre vessel marks a milestone in the company’s expansion from crew transfer operations into larger offshore service capabilities. The Windcat Rotterdam can accommodate up to 120 people and is designed to support construction…

Wind Multiplikator, a subsidiary of Danish company Semco Maritime, has signed a long-term charter agreement with Norwegian shipping company Norwind Offshore for a Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), set for deployment at an offshore wind farm in German North Sea.The newly built vessel Norwind Maestro is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2026, with a sister ship of the same design available from the fourth quarter of 2025.Both CSOVs will operate directly out of Emden…

Bibby Marine has laid the keel for its 6,700GT electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV) at the Armon Shipyard in Spain, marking the start of construction for the first of its kind hybrid-powered vessel that will operate on zero-emissions.During the ceremony, Bibby Line Group CEO, Jonathan Lewis, welded a coin from 1807, the year of Bibby’s founding, into the keel plates, marking the start of the vessel construction.When commissioned in 2027, the vessel will provide significant reductions in emissions and fuel consumption for the offshore wind industry…

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has signed a contract for the design and construction of two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) for an undisclosed international customer.The agreement, valued between $115 million and $230 million, also has an option for one additional vessel Vard said.The two CSOVs are of VARD 4 19 design developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway. The design is upgraded, and tailor made to the customer’s needs to give environmental benefits with a hull design optimized for low fuel consumption…

The official steel cutting ceremony for the third commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) Vard is building for Rem Offshore has been held in Vietnam earlier in July, marking the start of construction for the vessel set for delivery in late 2026.The first steel for the vessel was cut on July 1 at Vard Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam.The vessel NB 983 is the sister vessel to the NB 948 vessel, named REM Wind, that was delivered to REM Offshore in April 2024, which followed the delivery of REM Power vessel a year earlier.The CSOV is tailored to provide services during the construction…

GONDAN Shipbuilders has delivered a newly built Commissioning Service Operations Vessel (CSOV) Austri Enabler to Norwegian shipowner Edda Wind.The Austri Enabler, designed by Norwegian company Salt Ship Design, is part of a new generation of vessels designed to mark a turning point in the offshore wind energy sector.Austri Enabler is the fourth and last vessel in a series of four sister vessels from Gondan and follows Nordri Enabler, Sudri Enabler and Vestri Enabler. It is also the eight vessel that Gondan has delivered to Edda Wind.The vessel has secured a 12-month contract…

Vard, the Norwegian subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group and one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialized vessels, has delivered two of the world's first vessels featuring cyber notation.The ships are the two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) Grampian Kestrel and Purus Chinook, built respectively for North Star and Purus.In compliance with the new regulations in force from July 1, 2024, the two units feature state-of-the-art solutions that enhance their operational capabilities…

North Star has officially named its first commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV), the Grampian Kestrel.The vessel was named at a ceremony at VARD’s shipyard in Vard Langsten in Norway on May 6.The Grampian Kestrel is the first of two CSOVs to be delivered this year, as part of the firm’s drive to support its growing portfolio of offshore wind clients with cutting-edge tonnage and exceptional service.The new vessel, of VARD 4 22 design, will go on service with EnBW and precede…

Vard has secured a new contract with Taiwanese-based Dong Fang Offshore (DFO) for the design and construction of one Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), a sister vessel to the two CSOVs ordered in May 2024.After sealing the contract for two CSOVs in May 2024, Taiwanese DFO is adding a third vessel of the same design, the VARD 4 39.The design is the result of collaboration between DFO and Vard.The design gives a highly versatile all-round platform for sustainable wind…

North Star, a U.K.-based service operation vessel (SOV) operator, has become the first organization in the world to have ships achieve Lloyd’s Register’s Cyber Resilience classification.The classification is in line with mandatory International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) standards implemented for all newbuilds from July 1, 2024.North Star’s new commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs), the Grampian Kestrel and Grampian Eagle, are the first in the world…

Purus’ new commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV), built by Vard, has completed sea trials and will soon embark on its maiden offshore wind job for Vestas.The owner and and operator of service operation vessel Purus has informed its first of the two CSOV vessel, ordered from Vard in 2023, is almost ready for the start of its service, having completed the sea trials.The vessel is scheduled to be delivered from Vard to Purus in the second quarter of 2025, after which it will immediately embark on its maiden job for Vestas…

Windward Offshore has established a partnership with Marubeni Corporation. Windward, with a fleet of four CSOVs (Commissioning Service Operation Vessels) currently under construction at VARD shipyards, secured a senior loan facility of up to EUR 182m at the end of 2024, and in February 2025 Windward Athens, the first vessel in the series, was launched, scheduled.The partnership was finalized with Windward Offshore raising new equity to fund future growth, and Marubeni Corporation acquiring the new shares through a wholly owned subsidiary…

The hull for Bernhard Schulte (BS) Offshore’s new Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) has arrived at Ulstein Verft’s shipyard, marking the start of new phase in the shipbuilding process.The vessel is designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions for ‘walk-to-work’ (W2W) operations, where personnel walks via a motion-compensated gangway from the ship to a wind turbine.While the hull has been under construction at the CRIST yard in Poland, closely monitored by a site team from Ulstein Verft…

Germany-based Bernhard Schulte Offshore (BS Offshore) and Ulstein Verft have launched a new Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), the Yno 320.The launch followed an extensive outfitting phase that included the installation of electrical and mechanical systems, piping, accommodation, and system integration.The Yno 320 was towed from Ulstein Verft’s dock hall to the outer dock on February 20.While stationed in the outer dock, the Ampelmann tower and gangway were installed.Three days later…

The offshore wind sector is bracing for transformative changes as it navigates shifting political landscapes and evolving market demands. To shed light on the current state of the industry, Maritime Reporter TV interviewed Phil Lewis, Director of Research at Intelatus, an international offshore energy markets expert, to discuss the trends shaping the Service Operation Vessel (SOV) and Construction Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) markets and the future of U.S. offshore wind under…

Bibby Marine has signed a new shipbuilding contract with Spanish shipyard Armon to build its electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV) for offshore wind industry.The eCSOV will feature a battery system complemented by dual-fuel methanol engines offering alternative green operating solutions.With the capability to operate solely on battery power for a typical full day of operations, the range of the vessel will allow for passage from field to port and return.Integrating…

With four commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) currently under construction, German shipowner Windward Offshore has formed strategic partnerships with major industry suppliers such as Ampelmann, MAN Energy Solutions, and others, to ensure safe and high-quality delivery of the vessels.The CSOVS, two being built in Norway and two in Vietnam, are part of the contracts Windward Offshore signed with Vard for the design and construction of two hybrid CSOVs, which was later expanded to four vessels.The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2025…