Hornbeck Offshore has contracted Eastern Shipbuilding Group to convert one of its OSVs into a service operation vessel (SOV) to serve the US offshore wind market as well as the petro-energy flotel market.
The conversion of the recently acquired 280-foot OSV into an SOV capable of supporting both construction and operation and maintenance activities will be completed in the spring of 2025.
The SOV has been designed in collaboration with VARD, the original designer of the vessel, to address the needs of the US offshore wind client community based on VARD’s other recent SOV designs.
The vessel will have the capacity to accommodate up to 90 or more persons in flotel or offshore wind service mode. It will be equipped with a 30-metre motion-compensated offshore gangway, a 10-ton crane, a helideck, an enclosed warehouse, and a stepless boat landing.
The existing diesel-electric engine will be enhanced by a 1,500 kW-hour battery hybrid power system, enabling reduced emissions when offshore as well as during harbour transit.
“The SOV is a welcomed addition to our high-spec fleet of vessels as we continue to grow in both our core oilfield and diversified non-oilfield businesses,” said Todd Hornbeck, president and CEO of Hornbeck Offshore.
Although the company did not reveal the seller of the OSVs, it did enter into a definitive vessel purchase agreement with Nautical Solutions, an affiliate of Edison Chouest, to acquire six 280-foot OSVs in February.
All six OSVs are newbuilds and Hornbeck anticipates taking serial deliveries of all six vessels over the next 12 to 15 months.
