A new offshore wind vessel design developed by Chartwell Marine and VARD will see North Star become the first to adopt and deploy the Midi-SOV on offshore wind projects.
The Midi-SOV is a revolutionary 55-metre offshore wind craft ready for build in the European, Asian, and US markets. The agreement sees North Star investing in upfront design fees to facilitate vessel construction for European operations.
With a design that has been optimised based on operational data to meet the niche requirements of offshore wind developers and operators, the Midi-SOV is intended to directly complement existing fleets. Attributes include its ability to enhance project economics through increased yield and scalability, while also improving access with year-round availability, even in adverse weather conditions – providing 13 additional hours of access per day compared to some CTV models during winter months.
Andy Page, Managing Director at trusted pioneer of next-generation vessel design Chartwell Marine, said, “We designed the Midi-SOV with a clear vision of its integration into future offshore wind fleets, filling the gap that had emerged between CTVs and SOVs and addressing key operational challenges as the wind industry evolves.
Andrew Duncan, Renewables and innovations Director at North Star, added, “North Star has been investigating this sector for several years and initiated the collaborative project with Chartwell and VARD as a route to market. Our assessment has shown that the Midi-SOV has a key role to play in European offshore wind vessel fleets, particularly as activity ramps up in the North Sea and the Baltics. We’re excited about the operational versatility the design can give us, as well as the high standards of safety, availability and cost efficiency it promises – and proud to play our part in bringing the first Midi-SOVs to market.”
Chartwell, VARD, and North Star held a collaborative evening working group during Seawork with over 50 offshore wind developers, turbine manufacturers, and supply chain representatives attending. The event was hosted in an "Art Gallery" format with drawings, diagrams and renderings on display. Individuals reviewed and critiqued the design, offering direct feedback on its strengths and areas for refinement to enhance the operational capability of the Midi-SOV.
North Star is the market leading UK provider of mission critical, offshore infrastructure support services to offshore wind and offshore oil and gas markets. The firm has bases in Aberdeen, Lowestoft and Newcastle and Hamburg, and has a workforce of 1,400 seafarers and onshore personnel. It has been supporting the energy sector for the past four decades.
