The next order for Vard: the Norwegian subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group has signed a contract with the Asian shipping company Dong Fang Offshore (DFO).
The installation vessel has an order value of €113.5 million and is scheduled for delivery in 2027. The agreement also includes the option for further vessels.
This is already the third vessel that the Norwegians are building for DFO and the first offshore subsea construction vessel. The first two orders, which were placed in May 2024, are Commissioning Service Operations Vessels.
DFO was founded in 2019 as a shipping company for specialized vessels in the Asia-Pacific region and is active in the offshore, energy and telecommunications industries.
The new vessel, based on Vard’s “3 39” design, is a versatile platform designed and equipped for offshore wind turbines, maintenance, cable installation and repair work in the wind power and telecommunications sectors, according to a statement from the shipbuilding company. Thanks to an advanced hull form and a powerful propulsion configuration, it offers excellent seaworthiness, reduced movements and high position-holding capabilities.
Vard newbuilding to be delivered in 2027
The newbuild will be 121.3 meters long and 23 meters wide and will reach a maximum speed of 14 knots. The ship can accommodate up to 130 people in 90 cabins and is designed to meet “high standards in terms of comfort, functionality and environmental compatibility”. It also has an offshore crane with a lifting capacity of 250 tons and active sea state compensation, a 1,200 m² work deck prepared for cable repairs and ROV hangars on both sides. The unit will also be prepared for the installation of a motion-compensated gangway and a lower deck carousel, the installation of a large trench cutter and a helipad. The hull will be built at the Vard shipyard in Braila, Romania, while outfitting and delivery will take place at Vard Søviknes in Norway. The ship is scheduled for delivery at the beginning of the second quarter of 2027.
Other recent Vard orders include five walk-to-work vessels to be used in the oil and gas sector, as well as a next specialized vessel for the shipping company Island Offshore. The company is also part of a maritime partnership investigating the use of nuclear propulsion in shipping.
