Wind farm support vessel for Østensjø Rederi

This is the first order for the new ship design (UT 540 WP) from Rolls-Royce. The vessel will be the base for wind turbine technicians while they perform maintenance work on Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm, in Lincolnshire, UK for DONG Energy.

“We have worked closely with Rolls-Royce to develop a design we believe will be well suited to servicing the specific operational demands of supporting offshore wind farms. We look forward to continuing this good co-operation,” said Johan Rokstad, CEO of Østensjø Rederi.

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in mid-2017 and will be built at Astilleros Gondan in Spain. With a length of 81m and a 17m beam, the vessel will feature a motion compensated gangway system with an adjustable pedestal that will enable the transfer of maintenance personnel from the ship to the workspace.

Rolls-Royce will also supply the diesel-electric main machinery, consisting of frequency-controlled electric azimuth thrusters, super silent mounted transverse thrusters, deck machinery and a latest-generation Acon automation and control system.

Helge Gjerde, president of commercial marine at Rolls-Royce, said: “We are delighted that Østensjø Rederi and DONG Energy have chosen the new Rolls-Royce UT 540 WP design against intense competition.

“As more wind farms are built further from shore and in more demanding conditions, we see opportunities to use our extensive offshore experience to diversify into an exciting new market.”