Ulstein to Build Third ‘Walk-to-Work’ Offshore Wind Vessel for Bernhard Schulte

Ulstein Verft has signed a shipbuilding contract with Germany-based Bernhard Schulte for third service operation vessel (SOVs) designed specially for the offshore wind market.

The vessel will support the maintenance work of GE Renewable Energy at the German wind farm Merkur Offshore.

The project has been developed in cooperation with WINDEA Offshore, Bernhard Schulte’s affiliate for offshore wind projects. It will mark the third SOV Ulstein has built for Bernhard Schulte.

“Ulstein Verft is a very reliable yard and we are eager to start working together with ULSTEIN again. We have worked closely and successfully together on two former projects, and these vessels are operating very good in the field,” says Matthias Müller, Managing Director at Bernhard Schulte Offshore GmbH.

The new vessel, with delivery planned for 2020, will be built to the SX195 design developed in-house by Ulstein’s Design & Solutions team and modified to meet the requirements of GE Renewable Energy.

The vessel will feature Ulstein’s patented X-bow and X-stern hull. With all main equipment and operations in the aft ship, the vessel will naturally operate astern while in the field, keeping the stern towards the weather to reduce slamming, noise or vibrations caused by the waves.

It will have a large, centrally positioned walk-to-work motion compensated gangway and elevator tower for “stepless” personnel transfers, as well as a 3D compensated crane capable of 2-ton cargo transfers. The vessel will also equipped with a fuel-efficient drive system which will include a battery-solution. The vessel will be 93.4m long by 18m wide and can accommodate up to 120 persons.

“This will be our third service operation vessel to Bernhard Schulte and it shall be delivered early 2020. The first two vessels were delivered in 2016 and 2017. We will do our outmost to fulfil their expectations also this time,” comments Kristian Sætre, Managing Director at Ulstein Verft.