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Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract with Integrated Wind Solutions subsidiary IWS Fleet AS to provide vessel design and integrated technology solutions for four new Skywalker Class Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs).
The newbuild vessels will be constructed by Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipment to support operations across the expanding offshore wind sector. Based on Kongsberg Maritime’s latest UT 5519 DEx design, the order represents the next generation of the Skywalker Class, building upon operational data and experience from the first six vessels delivered since 2023. With this four-ship agreement, the total Skywalker Class fleet will expand to ten units, with delivery of the first vessel scheduled for 2029.
Per Ståle Nykrem, Director, Ship Design Sales, Kongsberg Maritime, commented, “Kongsberg Maritime is proud to continue its collaboration with IWS Fleet on this next phase of the Skywalker Class programme. This latest order takes the Skywalker Class series to ten vessels, underlining the confidence that owners and operators have in a design developed specifically for the requirements of offshore wind operations. The first six vessels have established a strong operational track record, and the UT 5519 DEx builds on that experience with further advances in efficiency, sustainability and performance.”
Engineered specifically as walk-to-work platforms for offshore wind farm operations, the vessels allow technicians to reside and work offshore for extended periods while supporting commissioning, operation, and maintenance activities. Each ship is designed to accommodate up to 120 personnel in high-standard onboard living quarters to provide a safe, comfortable working environment close to operational assets. To streamline operations, the platform incorporates a distinctive double-ended design and fully symmetrical operating profile that facilitates rapid manoeuvring between wind turbines, lowering transit times and boosting overall operational productivity.
Johnny Aarseth, Executive Vice President, Energy & Control, Kongsberg Maritime, added, “The expansion of the Skywalker Class programme with these latest vessels demonstrates the strength of the partnership between IWS Fleet and Kongsberg Maritime. The fact that a ship owner returns to order additional vessels based on a Kongsberg Maritime design is a strong endorsement of the quality, performance, and future readiness of our vessels.
“Offshore wind developers are increasingly looking for vessels that can maximise technician uptime, operate efficiently between turbines and provide excellent onboard living conditions during extended campaigns. The new UT 5519 DEx meets all those demands and we look forward to delivering the next generation of these highly capable ships.”
In addition to ship design and system integration, Kongsberg Maritime’s scope of supply covers electrical power systems, navigation and bridge packages, deck machinery, dynamic positioning, and propulsion. The propulsion configuration features rim-drive azimuth thrusters using permanent magnet motor technology, arranged with two units forward and two aft. This configuration delivers fast response characteristics, high energy efficiency, and precise vessel handling, which, alongside the dynamic positioning system, ensures accurate station-keeping and efficient manoeuvring between offshore turbines during demanding operations.
