Offshore wind farms are currently serviced using Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) or helicopters for day operations, and Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) for extended periods. What if there were a CAPEX-smart design that reduces building costs by over 50% compared to an SOV and supplement the SOVs on most tasks? 

Penta-Ocean Construction, a prominent Japanese general contractor, has commissioned Ulstein Design & Solutions B.V. to design its new heavy lift vessel for offshore wind foundation installation. The customised ULSTEIN HX118 design will feature a 5,000-ton Huisman main crane and the ULSTEIN U-STERN™, which enables the installation of increasingly larger monopile foundations.

In a landmark deal, Ulstein Design & Solutions AS has secured its largest aftermarket design contract to date for the cable-laying vessel Orient Adventurer. The contract, awarded by Dong Fang Offshore (DFO), involves both basic design and engineering provided by several of the companies in Ulstein. 

In close collaboration with Heerema, Ulstein Design & Solutions BV has provided engineering services for integrating the innovative motion-compensated gripper frame (MCGF) on Heerema Marine Contractors’ ‘SSCV Thialf’. This technology is key to efficiently installing large monopiles for offshore wind farms, driving progress in the renewable energy sector. The semi-submersible crane vessel is essential in advancing offshore wind technology, aiding the construction of future wind farms essential for the global energy transition.

Four state-of-the-art TWIN X-STERN CSOV vessels for Acta Marine, are currently in various phases of construction at the Tersan Shipyard, Türkiye. The vessels are designed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS. 

Innovative deliveries for more sustainable operations.

On 19 December 2024, the CRIST shipyard, Poland, carried out the keel laying ceremony for an ULSTEIN SX222 designed vessel, which will be Ulstein Verft's yard number 323, built for institutional investors.

The hull of the first TWIN X-STERN Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) for BS Offshore arrived Ulstein Verft on 18 December 2024. This milestone marks the start-up of the outfitting for Yard Number 320 at Ulstein Verft. 

28 November 2024: The 'Douglas Mawson' expedition cruise vessel, an ULSTEIN CX103 design, has been successfully launched at the CMHI shipyard, China. 

The Douglas Mawson, featuring the ULSTEIN X-BOW, offers high passenger comfort with her immersive bow lounge and panoramic observation areas. She meets Solas 2020 stability requirements and is tailored to client specifications, accommodating up to 300 people.

The ULSTEIN® POWER Variable Speed Generator (VSG) has been designed to optimise power generation on marine vessels by dynamically adjusting its speed to match load requirements. Together with technical measures and overall ship design, the operational results on the CSOV Olympic Boreas show a record-low 2.7-tonne fuel consumption per 24 hours during a week of DP operations. 

Taking bold commercial risks on novel vessel concepts with a strong focus on sustainability has made Olympic a pioneering player in the offshore energy sector. Its latest investment in a pair of new-build Construction Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) based on Ulstein Group’s innovative TWIN X-STERN® solution has paid off, with close to 50% reductions in fuel consumption and emissions to boost environmental performance.

13 November 2024: Ulstein is proud to announce the successful delivery of the Construction Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) Olympic Notos to Olympic. This state-of-the-art vessel marks a significant milestone in maritime innovation and excellence. “As a result of the findings from her sister ship, Olympic Boreas, the shipping company states that the vessels "operate with close to a 50% reduction in fuel consumption compared to other sailing CSOVs."

The Olympic Zeus, launched in 2009, introduced a hybrid power system, reducing fuel consumption by up to 70%. After reaching its 15th anniversary in 2024, it continues to set new fuel efficiency and environmental performance standards.

The Offshore Oil & Gas (OO&G) sector is experiencing a resurgence, driven by stable oil prices and a focus on efficiency and sustainability. This recovery has led to robust cash flows and new investments, especially in upstream activities, presenting an opportunity to integrate environmentally friendly practices.

9 October 2024: The second Construction Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) for Olympic, Olympic Notos, has successfully completed its sea trial. This marks a significant milestone in the vessel’s journey towards fully operational status, following in the footsteps of her sister vessel, the Olympic Boreas.