The ‘Grampian Derwent’ Service Operation Vessel (SOV), second of an order for fours vessels, has been delivered from Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam to North Star.
The SOV has been purpose designed and built to support operations and maintenance (O&M) work at the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm, the charters being for at least 10 years. Once the windfarm currently under construction is fully operational, the complete windfarm will become the largest in the world, producing enough electricity to power six million British homes.
The vessel is based on the Vard 4 19 hull design and has been developed with North Star specifically to handle planned maintenance on the Dogger Bank A, B and C sites and tailored for effective and efficient operations in the harsh North Sea environment more than 130km off the north-east coast of England. Crew and client well-being is vital to ensure safe and efficient operations, with workflow, comfort and facilities on board a strong focus throughout the process.
For optimal efficiency, the vessel is equipped with a diesel-electric propulsion system supported by battery hybrid power management and architecture, efficient Voith eVSP propulsion, and drop down azimuth thrusters for efficiency in-field, with SeaQ solutions supplied by Vard Electro.
The two remaining hybrid-electric powered SOV newbuilds, being built by Vard, are scheduled to begin operation at Dogger Bank A, B and C by 2026. The Vard design provides high-quality accommodation to offshore wind turbine technicians, as well as a centralised logistics hub configured to handle cargo and act as a functioning warehouse offshore.
In May 2023, North Star contracted Vard for up to a further four new offshore wind vessels. North Star has a proven track record for carrying out multiple fleet builds simultaneously. It employs more than 1,300 crew and onshore personnel at its offices, harbour and workshop facilities in Lowestoft, Port of Tyne and Aberdeen.
