Norway’s Edda Wind has committed to another three offshore wind farm newbuildings at it makes good on its pledge to expand operations after an Oslo listing last year.
The company, which is backed by Ostensjo Rederi and the Wilhelmsen group, has picked Spanish and Sri Lankan yards for the SALT-designed commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs).
This brings its newbuilding series to nine vessels, and the fleet to 11 units in all.
The new ships will be prepared for zero-emissions technology like the others.
One will be built at Astilleros Gondan in Spain and two at Colombo Dockyard in Sri Lanka.
In addition, the company has an unspecified number of options with the yards to build more vessels.
Kenneth Walland, chief executive of Edda Wind, said: “Ordering another three purpose-built CSOVs will further strengthen Edda Wind’s leading position within offshore wind.
“By building a series of vessels like this, and with the experience and knowledge we have from the vessels currently under construction, we are able to acquire these vessels at competitive prices.”
Big growth coming
Walland expects “tremendous” growth in the sector over the next decades.
The Spanish newbuilding is due in July 2024 and will be a sister to four vessels already under construction at Gondan.
The first Sri Lankan CSOV will be delivered in January 2024 and the second that July.
Colombo Dockyard is 51% owned by Japan’s Onomichi Dockyard.
The chairman role and some management positions are covered by Onomichi executives.
The shipbuilder delivered a complex cable-laying vessel of Vard design to Japan’s Kokusai Cable Ship Co in 2019.
Colombo is also building bulkers and a cable-laying and repair vessel for European owners.
The 89.3-metre CSOVs will house 97 technicians and 23 crew members.
The vessels will fly the Norwegian flag.
Liquid hydrogen fuel on the cards
Edda Wind is developing liquid organic hydrogen technology for its fleet, with Hydrogenious LOHC Maritime.
Earlier this month, Edda Wind fixed another newbuilding at Astilleros Balenciaga in Spain for five years to Siemens Gamesa.
The deal means Edda Wind has long-term work for six ships.
The service operation vessel (SOV) was ordered in April 2020 for €42.4m ($47.9m).
In November, Edda Wind carried out an initial public offering in Oslo worth $116m.
Heavyweight shipping investors John Fredriksen and Idan Ofer took part, together with Nordea Investment Management, subscribing for NOK 465m of the shares.
