WINDEA JULES VERNE - in spectacular sea trial surroundings.

We create tomorrow’s solutions for sustainable marine operations

Ulstein is a third-generation family-owned company and an internationally renowned provider of ship designs, shipbuilding and system solutions for ships. 

We will keep turning visions into reality with our customers and pushing progress in the maritime industry.

Turning visions into reality

Proud shipbuilder for more than a century
1917
Vessels built at Ulstein Verft
323
Vessel designs by Ulstein
164

How we make a difference

Ulstein has been able to spot and exploit new opportunities and sustain momentum through changing times in the maritime business for over a century. 

Through hard work and creative enthusiasm, we will keep renewing ourselves and applying our expertise to benefit our customers.

National Geographic Endurance in ice, photo courtesy Lindblad Expeditions.

We design and build state-of-the-art ships

From idea to delivery - we are turning visions into reality. We build vessels at our yard in Norway and offer site support at external yards.

Two aftermarket assignments at Ulstein Verft including Windea Leibniz photo Bernhard Schulte Offshore

We repair, convert and upgrade ships

Vessels need to keep up with regulatory requirements and stay competitive. We offer aftermarket and upgrade services to keep ships in shape.

SX222 ULSTEIN June23 Power System See Through blue 85pst

We make vessels more effective

As a system integrator we provide power and automation solutions to make vessel operations greener and more cost effective.

Trust through experience

We have lived up to market expectations for over a century through creativity and innovation. In collaboration with clients, yards, suppliers and classification societies we have helped shape the maritime industry.

What do our customers want?

Our customers need a partner who can give them a competitive edge and help reduce risks. Through our systematic approach to innovation, we are a good partner. We will help our customers keep pace with changing standards and performance requirements – not only today’s needs but also future ones.

Lowest possible lifecycle cost
Cost-effectiveness related to fuel oil consumption and other resources is as crucial for the environment as it is for our customers. Less downtime for maintenance and further work is also essential. Shipowners must ensure that value creation and cost-effectiveness are optimised throughout the life cycle of their ships.
Safety
Accidents can cause injury among crew members, pollution and damage of property. Safety and the environment are not only ethical issues, but also a case of risk management. To our customers it is important that all parts of the value chain deliver products and services with environmental and safety focus.
A partner you can trust
Sticking to the agreed delivery time, quality and price are crucial. Shipowners and other players need equipment and services that ensure delivery precision – and they seek partners they know can deliver the right quality on time for their benefit.

News & featured articles

2025 Ganway connections

Mastering walk-to-work operations

The total number of walk-to-work (w2w) vessel designs and redesigns by Ulstein now count 22, of which 14 are currently in operation. In average, these vessels perform repair and maintenance on more than 5,000 turbines – every year! 
That makes a stunning 95,000+ gangway connections!

The heavy lift pipelay vessel, ‘JSD 6000’, is a customised ULSTEIN SOC5000 design. The 215m long DP3 vessel is equipped with a 5,000t revolving main crane and will be cable of performing J-lay and S-lay pipelay work in max water depths of 3,000m.. The combination of heavy lift and S-Lay capabilities together with J-Lay functionality via a large, off-centre moonpool, allows the vessel to serve deepwater and SURF markets as well as shallow-water EPCI projects.  The JSD 6000 vessel is the third cus
Press Release

Totally three Ulstein ship designs win Work Boat World Awards for 2024

Three of Ulstein's designs are among the Work Boat World Awards 2024 winners. Tamhae 3 clinched the 'Best Large Research Vessel' award, Olympic Boreas was named 'Best CSOV', and JSD 6000 took home the 'Best Derrick Layer' accolade from Baird Maritime/Work Boat World. These awards celebrate the best vessels in their categories, judged on design, build quality, and functionality.

PX120 kolage
Feature

Striking the balance

In today's evolving maritime industry, ship owners encounter challenges and opportunities. What options do you have when markets are unpredictable? Sometimes it's all about striking that perfect balance.

Ocean Explorer on sea trial
Feature

Putting the X in eXpedition: The rise of X-BOW ships

"When a viral Drake Passage video surfaced showing huge swells crashing over the bow of Quark Expeditions' Ocean Explorer, it wasn't just the power of the Southern Ocean that made waves. 
The real star? The ship's cutting-edge X-BOW design." 

This quote comes from Alex Loizou at Mundy Adventure. 
With his permission, the whole story continues below. 

S Xnnn Mini SOV Jan24 v2 OPTS Ops SB Fore Low Max Lift
Feature

Ulstein's SX250 ship design: A game-changer in W2W operations

In February 2025, Ulstein introduced the innovative SX250 design, a vessel specifically engineered to excel in wave heights up to 2 metres Hs. This strategic design choice aligns perfectly with real-world operational data, revealing that 94.2% of walk-to-work (w2w) operations occur in conditions with wave heights below 2 metres. 

CLV Nexans Aurora arrival Ulstein Verft, photo fotograf Hagen.

TURNING VISIONS INTO REALITY

We are a long-term partner working to ensure future competitiveness and sustainable growth.