Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract to design and equip four new offshore wind support vessels for IWS Fleet AS, a subsidiary of Integrated Wind Solutions (IWS).
The vessels will be built by China’s Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipment, with the first delivery expected in 2029. The order will expand IWS Fleet’s Skywalker Class series from six to ten vessels.
The new Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) will use Kongsberg Maritime’s UT 5519 DEx design. They will support the commissioning, operation and maintenance of offshore wind farms.
New vessels to feature advanced propulsion systems
Each vessel will accommodate up to 120 people, allowing technicians to live and work offshore during extended assignments.
The ships will feature a double-ended design that allows them to move efficiently between wind turbines. This arrangement is intended to reduce manoeuvring time and support daily offshore operations.
Kongsberg Maritime will supply electrical power systems, navigation and bridge equipment, propulsion systems, deck machinery and dynamic positioning technology.
Each vessel will also feature four rim-drive azimuth thrusters, with two positioned at each end. The thrusters use permanent magnet motors and are designed to improve energy efficiency while providing precise vessel control.
Together with the dynamic positioning system, the propulsion arrangement will help the vessels maintain their position during work near offshore wind turbines.
Skywalker Class programme expands
The latest contract builds on the first six Skywalker Class vessels delivered since 2023. The new ships will incorporate operational experience from those earlier deliveries.
“Kongsberg Maritime is proud to continue its collaboration with IWS Fleet on this next phase of the Skywalker Class programme,” said Per Ståle Nykrem, Director, Ship Design Sales at Kongsberg Maritime.
The company will provide the vessel designs and integrated technology systems, while Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipment will handle construction.
The contract value has not been disclosed. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2029, although delivery dates for the remaining three ships have not been announced.
