Vard to design and build first SOV for Taiwanese market

The order marks the entrance of the company into the offshore renewables sector. The contract itself is first SOV for operation in Taiwan and Asia.

The vessel is being built for Ta San Shang Marine, a joint venture between Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL) and Ta Tong Marine Co., Ltd. (TTM). The SOV will provide maintenance support operations for offshore wind farms in the Taiwan Strait, under a 15-year contract with Ørsted, the leading offshore and renewable energy group.

The SOV is based on Vard’s 4 19 design and was developed by Vard Design in close cooperation with the customer and partners. The vessel will be equipped with diesel-electric propulsion combined with a fully integrated SeaQ energy storage solution, delivered by Vard Electro. The project is one of the first battery hybrid projects to be awarded to the yard.

The 84.4-metre vessel will have a beam of 19.5 meters and will accommodate 87 persons in single cabins. The vessel has a height adjustable motion compensated gangway with elevator system, a height adjustable boat transfer system and a 3D-compensated crane for cargo transfer.