U.S.-based shipping company Crowley and Danish offshore services company ESVAGT have agreed to jointly build and operate a service operations vessel (SOV) for the U.S. wind market.
The SOV will be under a long-term charter with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy to support Siemens Gamesa’s service operations on the Dominion Energy Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project. Crowley will manage and crew the SOV.
You may recall… ESVAGT and Crowley entered into a joint venture partnership in 2021 to develop a best-in-class design and deliver its first wind-dedicated, U.S-flag SOV. As part of joint venture, known CREST Wind, ESVAGT, a leading SOV operator in Europe, will support Crowley with design, construction, crew training and operation services.
SOVs serve as an at-sea base for wind farm service technicians, providing housing, on-board workshops and much of the equipment and spare parts needed to service offshore wind farms.
Crowley says the 289-foot vessel will feature state-of-the-art technologies to augment safety, workability and comfort to support the O&M activities of the wind farm project. It will have modern accommodations for 80 crew and technicians. The vessel will be U.S. built in compliance with the Jones Act and is planned to enter service in 2026.
“This vessel marks another significant milestone in our overarching, combined capabilities to help develop, construct and serve the U.S. offshore wind market and America’s clean, renewable energy needs,” said Bob Karl, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Wind Services. “We appreciate Siemens Gamesa’s trust in our capabilities, and we look forward to continuing our work to develop state-of-the-art, purpose-built vessels to meet sustainable energy demands in the U.S.”