Service Operation Vessel being transported out of the Ulstein Verft dock hall

First Offshore Wind Service Vessel from Ulstein Verft launched

The first vessel within the renewable energy segment, and also the first with the newly-developed X-STERN hull line design, has been launched from Ulstein Verft. The service operation vessel for the offshore wind industry is one of two being constructed for Bernhard Schulte Offshore, and will be working for Siemens.
Published
28 April 2016
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  • Detailed paintwork on the SOV for Bernhard Schulte Offshore
  • Andres Chacon, Technical Project Manager, and Matthias Müller, Managing Director in Bernhard Schulte Offshore GmbH at the launch of their first SOV at Ulstein Verft, the Windea La Cour.
    Andres Chacon, Technical Project Manager, and Matthias Müller, Managing Director in Bernhard Schulte Offshore GmbH attended the launching of the Windea La Cour at Ulstein Verft. (Photo: Marius Beck Dahle).
  • Freshly painted and getting ready to perform Wind Power Service

The vessel will be servicing the Gemini offshore wind park offshore the Netherlands.

Both vessels are based on the SX175 design from ULSTEIN, and are equipped with the hull features X-BOW and X-STERN in order to improve the sea
characteristics when the vessels are positioned alongside the wind turbines during transferral of service technicians from the vessel through a heave compensated gangway.

The vessels have accommodation for 60 persons in single cabins, of which 40 cabins are dedicated to technicians. The final detailed arrangements and
equipment for the vessels have been developed and specified in cooperation with WINDEA Offshore GmbH & Co. KG, which is the Bernhard Schulte Offshore's affiliate for offshore wind projects.

The offshore wind industry is a growing industry. The strong, consistent winds sweeping over the oceans are invaluable resources to potentially supply
large quantities of renewable energy.

Sustainable growth is an essential part of the ULSTEIN vision. Ulstein Group has previously delivered ship designs for the renewable energy segment, but the Bernhard Schulte Offshore vessels are the first offshore wind service vessels to be constructed at Ulstein Verft.

The ship design and shipbuilding contract
on the two SOVs were signed in 2015.

Preparing for wind power service: Film from the paintwork on the SOV at Ulstein Verft.


The very first glimpse of the X-STERN hull solution:


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