North Star, of Aberdeen, is expected to create about 200 seafaring jobs through an order for new construction vessels for the offshore wind industry.
The shipping firm is moving into commissioning and maintenance, having hired Norwegian shipbuilder Vard to construct up to four commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs).
The first two will be delivered by Q2 2025, and there’s an option for two additional ships which could, ultimately, deliver up to 200 seafaring roles across the CSOV fleet.
New ships to start life in Romania
Vard will build the hulls of the first two out of a yard in Romania, with outfitting to follow in Norway.
North Star, backed by private equity firm Partners Group, has committed to delivering 40 offshore wind ships by 2040 to meet growing demand across the UK and Europe.
The CSOVs vessels are the latest in a series of orders with Vard.
In 2021 North Star placed an order for four service operation vessels to be built at Vard’s base in Vietnam.
Those ships will support Dogger Bank, which will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm, off the UK.
The first three are due to start operations this year, with the last to be delivered in 2024.
Changing focus
North Star has traditionally focused on the offshore oil and gas industry, but entered the offshore wind market during 2021.
Chief executive Matthew Gordon said: “Ensuring speed of delivery for these (latest) ships was a key factor in our decision to select Vard as our continued building partner.
“With the offshore wind market growing at pace across the UK and Europe, commitment to these new vessels allows us to offer flexibility and reliability to clients on future tenders, where yard slots are expected to be scarce.”
CSOVs can support all offshore windfarm operations.
North Star’s new ships will boast “hotel quality accommodation”, with 95 cabins for 111 people on board. The 312ft vessels will have a maximum speed of 14 knots.
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