Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) has appointed Salt Ship Design (SALT) as the naval architect and ZPMC as the shipbuilder for three new service operation vessels (SOVs), following recent contract awards from Vattenfall.
Vattenfall has awarded long-term contracts to LDA under which the company will build, own, and operate up to three SOVs for Vattenfall’s offshore wind farms. The first SOV will begin service in mid-2027 at the DanTysk and Sandbank offshore wind farms in Germany. The second SOV will commence operations before the end of 2027, servicing the Nordlicht 1 and Nordlicht 2 wind farms, also in Germany. The third optional SOV is planned for Vattenfall’s future North Sea projects.
LDA, having worked with SALT on the design of the Wind of Change and Wind of Hope SOVs, leveraged over five years of operational experience to redesign these vessels.
The redesigned SOVs will feature improved operational efficiency, optimized energy consumption, and enhanced safety and efficiency for onboard technicians, according to LDA.
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs stated, “The ‘Wind of Change’ was the first hybrid-electric SOV, setting a standard now common in the market. These new vessels are the next step, with enhanced maneuverability achieved through four azimuth thrusters and superior dynamic positioning (DP) performance. They will include an advanced gangway system and a 3D motion-compensated crane. Significant attention has been given to the comfort of technicians and crew, transforming the SOVs into high-standard floating hotels.”
The new vessels, to be built by ZPMC in China, will incorporate high-end European components, such as the gangway system, DP system, and key propulsion lines.
Kamil Beffa, CEO of LDA, stated, “With SALT’s expertise in naval architecture and ZPMC’s industrial capabilities, we are confident these SOVs will set a new benchmark in offshore wind operations. Our commitment to operational excellence and onboard comfort is central to this project, and we look forward to delivering vessels that will serve as references in the industry.”
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