VARD and Windward selects Brunvoll for New Series of Offshore Wind Service Vessels

November 20, 2023

VARD and Windward at Brunvoll’s facilities in Molde. Photo: Brunvoll AS / Jørgen Eide. From the left, Øystein Aarsæther (VARD), Arnim Von der Lieth (Windward), Bernt Rune Riksfjord (Brunvoll), Martin Ingjerd (VARD), and Geir Larsen (Brunvoll).

Brunvoll has received an order for the delivery of propulsion and manoeuvring packages for Windward’s new Commissioning Service Operation Vessels . The order is for two vessels, with two additional vessels as an option

Figure 1. Windward’s new CSOVs, designed and built by Vard. Illustration: Vard Design AS

Windward’s new vessels will have two propulsion azimuth thrusters in the aft, and two retractable azimuth thrusters and a tunnel thruster in the bow. All azimuth thrusters feature the latest and greatest improvements to meet the increasingly stricter requirements for rapid, safe, and accurate DP operations for SOVs/CSOVs. This includes significantly improved rotation speed, faster propeller acceleration, and arrangements for increased thrust efficiency in terms of reduced thruster and hull interaction.

“We have recognized Brunvoll as a leading supplier of integrated systems for propulsion, maneuvering, and automation in the offshore industry. It was a prerequisite for us to find a partner who also thrives for excellence. During our pre-assessments, we gained a lot of confidence in Brunvoll and their quality as well as their service and after sales network.”, says Lars Evers, Fleet Director at Windward.

Figure 2. VARD’s 4 19- design, with propulsion and manoeuvring system from Brunvoll. Illustration: Vard Design AS

VARD and Windward selects Brunvoll for New Series of Offshore Wind Service Vessels

With four powerful and responsive azimuth thrusters, the vessels should be ideally equipped with regards to operational requirements, DP accuracy, and overall performance. The vessels, which are of VARD 4 19-design, will be approximately 87 x 19,5 meters with a capacity of 120 people. The design is optimized for low fuel consumption, high operability, and comfort.

It’s a pleasure to welcome Windward as a new client, and I would also like to thank VARD for once again returning to Brunvoll. We are looking forward to seeing what Windward, as a newly established joint venture consortium, can achieve by driving the offshore wind energy transition forward.

The offshore wind segment has really pushed the development of our thrusters in the last couple of years, and it is nice to see the synergies of the work that has been put down by everyone in the Brunvoll value chain,” says Bernt Rune Riksfjord, VP Sales at Brunvoll AS.

The first hull will be built at VARD’s yard in Romania and outfitted at one of VARD’s yards in Norway. The second vessel will be built and delivered from Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam. The first CSOV for Windward Offshore is scheduled to be delivered in the second half of 2025.