Purus Wind, the UK-based offshore wind business of Purus Marine, has contracted Fincantieri-controlled Norwegian shipbuilder Vard for the construction of up to four commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs).
The contract covers two firm vessels set to deliver in the second quarters of 2025 and 2026 with an option for two additional units. The hull of the first vessel will be built in Romania for outfitting, commissioning, and delivery from one of Vard’s yards in Norway. The second vessel will be built at VARD Vung Tau in Vietnam.
No price has been revealed for the CSOV pair of the VARD 4 19 design developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway, and upgraded together with Purus Wind to give environmental benefits with a hull design optimised for low fuel consumption and resistance, as well as high operability and comfort.
The 87-m-long newbuilds will be equipped with a battery hybrid system prepared for charging at sea, a project backed by funding from the Norwegian Government’s Green Platform Initiative. The design also includes a methanol-ready option.
Tom Nevin, business head of Purus Wind, commented: “These vessels will support a pathway for our clients to decarbonise their operations and to maintain our position as a leader with the lowest carbon offshore wind support fleet. We are also very excited about the potential of what will be the next generation of a very successful design with the ability to convert to methanol with the flexibility of hybrid and zero emission mode.”
Established in 2020, Julian Proctor-led Purus Marine has already acquired a fleet of more than 60 vessels in the ammonia and LNG sectors, battery hybrid offshore wind vessels, carbon capture and scrubber-fitted containerships and electric ferries. The company’s wind unit has been busy this year, most recently placing orders for eight offshore wind support vessels at Dutch shipbuilder Damen, including one 90-m-long CSOV.
