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Kongsberg Maritime has won a contract with IWS Fleet, a subsidiary of Integrated Wind Solutions (IWS), to provide vessel design and integrated technology for four new Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs), expanding the Skywalker Class series to 10 vessels.
The vessels will be built by Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipment in China, based on Kongsberg Maritime’s latest UT 5519 DEx design. The first vessel is due for delivery in 2029.
Designed for offshore wind farm commissioning, operation and maintenance, the vessels will provide walk-to-work access for technicians working at offshore installations. Each ship will accommodate up to 120 persons, supporting extended offshore campaigns.
The double-ended design is intended to improve manoeuvrability between turbines and reduce transit times. Kongsberg Maritime’s supply scope includes electrical power systems, navigation and bridge systems, propulsion, deck machinery and dynamic positioning.
Each vessel will feature four rim-drive azimuth thrusters, powered by permanent magnet motor technology, providing energy efficiency, rapid response and precise vessel control. Combined with dynamic positioning, the arrangement will support accurate station-keeping during offshore operations.
“Kongsberg Maritime is proud to continue our collaboration with IWS Fleet on this next phase of the Skywalker Class programme," said Per Ståle Nykrem, Director of Ship Design Sales at Kongsberg Maritime. "This latest order takes the Skywalker Class series to 10 vessels, underlining the confidence that owners and operators have in a design developed specifically for the requirements of offshore wind operations. The first six vessels have established a strong operational track record, and the UT 5519 DEx builds on that experience with further advances in efficiency, sustainability and performance.”
“The expansion of the Skywalker Class programme with these latest vessels demonstrates the strength of the partnership between IWS Fleet and Kongsberg Maritime," said Johnny Aarseth, Executive Vice President, Energy & Control at Kongsberg Maritime. "The fact that a ship owner returns to order additional vessels based on a Kongsberg Maritime design is a strong endorsement of the quality, performance, and future readiness of our vessels.
“Offshore wind developers are increasingly looking for vessels that can maximise technician uptime, operate efficiently between turbines and provide excellent onboard living conditions during extended campaigns. The new UT 5519 DEx meets all those demands and we look forward to delivering the next generation of these highly capable ships.”
The order highlights continued investment in specialist vessels supporting the offshore wind sector. Kongsberg Maritime is a Seawork exhibitor, showcasing its expertise in vessel design and integrated marine technology for the commercial marine industry.
