A new industry partnership has been formed to develop a next-generation service operation vessel (SOV) for floating offshore wind projects.
This collaboration includes key players such as North Star, MO4, Principle Power, SMST, Voith Group, and VARD, aiming to tackle the challenges of operating in deeper waters, which are becoming increasingly common for offshore wind farms. The partners have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a dedicated working group focused on creating an innovative SOV specifically designed for commercial-scale floating wind projects.
The primary objective of this initiative is to set new industry standards for safety, performance, and efficiency in SOV design.
Each partner contributes a different area of expertise:
- North Star will lead the design process to ensure that logistical and service needs are fully integrated; MO4 will use digital twin technology and AI to evaluate workability;
- Principle Power will share insights from its extensive experience with floating wind platforms;
- SMST will provide expertise in gangway technology;
- VARD will integrate inputs from all partners into a cohesive vessel design.
- Voith Group will focus on optimizing propulsion systems to maintain stability and performance in the demanding offshore environment, ensuring the SOV meets the operational requirements of future floating wind projects.
We look forward to leveraging our collective expertise to drive this floating wind innovation forward. The detailed ship design will be put to the test through rigorous workability assessments, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of performance, safety, and efficiency before being implemented in future floating wind projects.
… said Andrew Duncan, North Star’s Renewable and Innovation Director