VARD has signed a contract for the design and construction of one Energy Construction Vessel (ECV) with Wind Energy Construction. 

The parties have also agreed on the option for an additional vessel, possibly declared later this year.

This is the sixth vessel the parent company for Wind Energy Construction has contracted with VARD since 2021. The five previous vessels were CSOVs.

The ECV will be of VARD 3 11 design, geared towards the wind and subsea market, including inspection, pipes repair and maintenance, and construction and installation of infrastructure above and below sea level.

This is the first construction vessel VARD is slated to build with a walk-to-work electric controlled motion compensated gangway. A movement-compensated offshore crane is also being installed.

“We are delighted that the people behind Norwind Offshore and Wind Energy Construction chose VARD when broadening their fleet of vessels, this time with their advanced energy construction vessel targeting both the promising oil and gas subsea market, as well as strengthening the foothold in the renewable offshore wind market,” says VARD’s Torgeir Haugan.

“This contract shows that VARD maintains its technological and industrial leadership in the offshore market. Together with the customer we push boundaries and continue to develop our vessels to the best of our customers wanting to be a part of the green transition. We welcome Norwind Offshore and Wind Energy Construction back and look forward to continuous collaboration.”

VARD is expected to be total provider for the vessel, which will be built, outfitted, commissioned and delivered from Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam and is scheduled for delivery in 2027.