Oslo-listed Integrated Wind Solutions (IWS) has contracted two more offshore wind farm support ships, doubling its orderbook.
The Awilco-backed owner said the two walk-to-work commissioning service operations vessels (CSOVs) will be built at China Merchants Heavy Industry for delivery in the first half of 2024.
Two CSOVs are already on order at the same yard for handover in 2023. The original deal came with up to four options.
The final two optional vessels will be delivered in the second half of 2024.
IWS said the ships are costing €48m ($53m) each.
They will support construction of wind farms, as well as aiding operations and maintenance during their lifetime.
“We are very pleased to expand our fleet by another two vessels, which will be uniquely positioned for a strong and growing offshore wind market when delivered in 2024,” said IWS chief executive Lars-Henrik Roren.
“We do see increased interest in our vessels and the integrated services that IWS provides, as demonstrated by the charter contracts with Dogger Bank offshore wind farm. This newbuilding order is a further step towards our ambition of providing efficient services to the offshore wind industry.”
The 120-person first vessel in the series, the IWS Skywalker, will start work at Equinor, SSE and Eni’s Dogger Bank off north-eastern England in summer 2023.
Third deal coming
The vessel has two consecutive contracts lined up, and a third is likely to be signed for a 2025 start.
The hybrid ships will be among the first in the industry capable of zero-emission operations, IWS claims.
They have been designed by Kongsberg Maritime to have the largest battery packs available, with solar panels for additional charging.
Energy consumption is estimated to be 20% lower than comparable CSOVs currently under construction, and CO2-equivalent emissions will fall by more than 1,300 tonnes per ship.
IWS also owns the offshore wind supply chain service company IWS Services and has a 30% stake in consultancy and wind farm operator PEAK-Wind Group, both based in Denmark.
The company said on Tuesday that it has raised about $40m in a private placement of shares.
The cash will go towards financing the new ship orders.
