First offshore wind service vessel from Ulstein Verft launched

The first vessel within the renewable energy segment, and also the first with the newly-developed X-STERN™ hull line design, has been launched from Ulstein Verft. The service operation vessel for the offshore wind industry is one of two being constructed for Bernhard Schulte Offshore, and will be working for Siemens, the Group said Thursday in a press release.

Both vessels are based on the SX175 design from ULSTEIN, and are equipped with the hull features X-BOW and X-STERN in order to improve the sea characteristics when the vessels are positioned alongside the wind turbines during transferral of service technicians from the vessel through a heave compensated gangway.

The vessels have accommodation for 60 persons in single cabins, of which 40 cabins are dedicated to technicians. The final detailed arrangements and equipment for the vessels have been developed and specified in cooperation with WINDEA Offshore GmbH & Co. KG, which is the Bernhard Schulte Offshore’s affiliate for offshore wind projects.

The offshore wind industry is a growing industry. The strong, consistent winds sweeping over the oceans are invaluable resources to potentially supply large quantities of renewable energy.

Sustainable growth is an essential part of the ULSTEIN vision. Ulstein Group has previously delivered ship designs for the renewable energy segment, but the Bernhard Schulte Offshore vessels are the first offshore wind service vessels to be constructed at Ulstein Verft.

The ship design and shipbuilding contract on the two SOVs were signed in 2015.