PaxOcean Group, a member of Kuok Maritime Group, and Ulstein Design & Solutions, have signed a contract for the design of an Ulstein SX222 service operation vessel (SOV) for NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha). PaxOcean will construct the vessel at its Graha yard in Batam, Indonesia.
The SOV will be prepared for methanol and fully electric operations, providing flexibility to adopt lower-emission energy solutions. It will have double classification from DNV and CR and sail under the Taiwan flag.
The vessel will support offshore wind construction, operations and maintenance activities, providing accommodation and logistical support for personnel working offshore. It will be based on the proven SX222 design and will accommodate up to 120 people. The vessel will have a length of 89.6m and a beam of 19.2m.
Featuring Ulstein’s TWIN X-STERN hull design, the vessel is designed for high manoeuvrability, efficient station-keeping and reduced energy consumption. The symmetrical hull shape and propulsion arrangement are intended to enable efficient operation in either direction. This reduces the need to turn when weather conditions change and supports a wider operational window.
Sidat Senanayake, Group Head, Commercial, PaxOcean, said: “This contract is an important project for PaxOcean Group as we strengthen our capabilities in specialised vessel construction. Together with NYK and Ulstein, we have worked closely and purposefully over time to develop a vessel that meets the customer’s operational requirements and the evolving needs of the offshore wind industry. For PaxOcean, it is also significant that we are establishing a strong foothold in a segment of tonnage that directly contributes to and enables sustainable solutions. This is an important step in our continued development and in positioning ourselves for the green transition taking place across the maritime industry.”
Rolf Petter Almli, sales manager, Ulstein Design & Solutions, added: “We look forward to working closely with PaxOcean and NYK on the realisation of this vessel. This contract represents an important milestone for Ulstein and demonstrates the relevance of our vessel designs and system solutions in the growing offshore wind market in Asia.”
Ulstein Design & Solutions will provide the vessel design and engineering package, while Ulstein Power & Control will deliver a fully integrated DC-based hybrid power and automation system, ensuring integration between the vessel design, power generation, energy storage, propulsion, and control systems.
By combining ship design, engineering, system integration, and main equipment into a single delivery, Ulstein expects to contribute to a coordinated and efficient shipbuilding process. Ulstein’s multidisciplinary teams will work closely with the shipyard and shipowner to optimise the vessel as a complete system.
The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2029.
Image: Ulstein Design & Solutions’ SX222 offshore vessel (source: Ulstein Group)
