“Far from being a disaster, we see the failure of the UK’s Round 5 offshore wind CfD auctions as an opportunity…”
Chartwell Marine, UK pioneer of next-generation vessel design, has partnered with VARD, one of the world's leading designers and shipbuilders of specialized vessels, to introduce the Midi-SOV: combining the expertise of the respective crew transfer vessel (CTV) and SOV design leaders.
"Never before has there been such a pressing need to develop offshore wind vessels that are reactive to evolving operational and financial conditions…developer costs are skyrocketing.” says Andy Page, Director, Chartwell Marine.
The Midi SOV has been designed from the ground up to prioritise stability and operability, and to be a cost-effective solution as the offshore wind industry tackles high inflation and increasing costs in its development pipeline.
At 55m, the vessel hits the ‘sweet spot’ for commercial and operational viability for offshore wind, filling a new operational role between CTVs and SOVs. The vessel is designed Jones Act Compliant, Americanised, and ready for production in US Shipyards.
Innovative design, balanced displacement, and advanced features position the Midi-SOV as a versatile and forward-thinking solution for offshore wind, marrying crew well-being and environmental responsibility with resolutely high performance. The vessel can be equipped with Methanol-Diesel Dual-Fuel engines, electric propulsion, and a supporting energy storage system.
Andy continued, “The Midi-SOV offers a cost-efficient alternative to full-sized SOVs, contributing to the industry's overall sustainability. We’re putting a strong emphasis on having these vessels manufactured locally, with US-built vessels Americanised for the US market and Europe-built vessels for European operations. Chartwell is leading the charge in CTVs; VARD are a pioneer in the SOV space — so the Midi-SOV is the best of both worlds.”
Runar Vågnes, Senior Vice President Sales VARD, said: “With the introduction of the Midi-SOV, Chartwell Marine and VARD are leading the way in opening up a new segment in the offshore wind industry enabling sustainable business at sea, bringing forth a vessel that combines innovation, efficiency, and sustainability. Our partnership signifies a commitment to providing operators with state-of-the-art solutions that slot into new and specialised roles that are emerging in markets across the globe.”
