Telecommunications is no longer just a convenience; it is becoming the backbone of modern society. Secure and resilient communication networks are increasingly regarded as critical national infrastructure, sometimes even more vital than traditional energy resources. This shift reflects a world where data flow underpins everything from economic stability to military readiness.

With over a century of shipbuilding heritage, Ulstein is a vital part of the Norwegian maritime cluster, synonymous with innovation in ship design and the engineering that follows. From offshore vessels navigating the harshest seas to expedition cruise vessels exploring the polar regions, the company has consistently proven its ability to deliver advanced, reliable platforms. 

This experience forms the backbone as Ulstein now develops concepts for standardised naval vessels for the Royal Norwegian Navy. The ships will meet the Navy’s need for advanced, reliable and efficient vessel platforms.

The Royal Norwegian Navy has an ambition to acquire series‑produced, standardised naval vessels. This requires ships that are versatile, robust and future‑oriented, yet cost‑effective to build. Few shipyards in Norway can meet this challenge. Together, Larsnes Mek. Verksted (Larsnes) and Ulstein Group (Ulstein) have extensive experience and strong references in the design, construction, and maintenance of vessels. They collaborate to offer a solution that ensures the efficient production of naval ships. 

The hull for yard number 323 arrived at Ulstein Verft on 6 December 2025. This marks another milestone in the construction of our next-generation offshore wind service vessel, which is the tenth TWIN X-STERN CSOV since 2022. The vessel is based on Ulstein’s proven SX222 design platform. 

Aurora Expeditions' Douglas Mawson was officially named in Sydney on 27 November 2025 before embarking on her inaugural trip to Tasmania. This milestone marks history as the first expedition vessel featuring Ulstein’s X-BOW® design to operate in Australian waters. More than a striking visual signature, this pioneering hull shape represents a breakthrough in maritime engineering.

Guiding a nearly 150-metre-long newbuild vessel out of the dock hall with less than one metre of clearance on each side, while the wind presses from all directions, leaves no room for error. It demands meticulous planning, absolute precision, and a team that knows exactly what to do.

On 15 November 2025, Yard number 322 was successfully towed and positioned inside the dock hall at Ulstein Verft. The project is progressing according to plan, and key activities are now underway.

At Ampelmann’s Walk-to-Work Conference in Rotterdam on 4 November 2025, Henrik Høidal, system architect at Ulstein Design & Solutions AS, delivered a presentation that sparked lively discussions about the future of offshore wind logistics. The topic was the SX250 vessel, a concept challenging today’s thinking on size and operational capability.

On 13 November 2025, the Nexans Electra cable laying vessel (CLV) was positioned quayside at Ulstein Verft, marking a major milestone in the vessel’s journey towards completion. During its time at Ulstein Verft, the vessel has been in a roofed, controlled environment, ensuring optimal conditions for work environment and precision painting.

The shipbuilding construction of Nexans Electra is approaching its final phase in the dock, before the comprehensive work continues quayside ahead of sea trials in spring 2026. How do you organise a staff of hundreds of workers, subcontractors and suppliers over several months to deliver the project on time and within budget? Join project manager Runar Toftesund at Ulstein Verft for a look behind the scenes.

The Ålesund-based company Blue Ctrl is making strategic changes to its leadership to strengthen its continued growth and position within the maritime technology sector. On 1 November, Marielle Furnes Mannseth will assume the role of Managing Director of the company.

Aurora Expeditions welcomed its third X-BOW cruise vessel, Douglas Mawson, in September 2025. “Many of our guests have travelled on other expedition ships before and immediately notice the difference. Whether it’s sleeping better at night, feeling less vibration during lectures, or spending more time in observation areas, the design truly enhances the experience,” says Katie Malone, Chief Marketing Officer at Aurora Expeditions, when commenting on the X-BOW design feature.

Ulstein Group received the 'Teamwork of the Year 2025 Award' at the IDC conference in Ålesund on 16 October 2025. The jury stated that: "Ulstein Group has built a culture where all disciplines are equally valued. The results speak for themselves: forward-looking vessels that meet both commercial and societal goals. Ulstein demonstrates how interdisciplinary collaboration can lead to groundbreaking solutions in the maritime sector, showcasing a strong ability to bring together designers, engineers, and key personnel in developing holistic concepts that combine technology, function, and aesthetics. Collaboration across disciplines and stakeholders – from local partners to international clients – drives innovation with global impact."

In October 2025, Edda Freya called at Ulstein Verft for a mobilisation on very short notice. In addition to several minor tasks, the vessel's crane, weighing 350 tonnes, needed to be relocated.

The total number of walk-to-work (w2w) vessel designs and redesigns by Ulstein now counts 22, of which 16 are currently in operation. On average, these vessels perform repair and maintenance on more than 5,000 turbines every year! That makes a stunning 95,000+ gangway connections!