ABS Grants AIP for First Jones Act Offshore Wind SOV

The VARD 4 07 US SOV design. Illustration courtesy ABS / VARD

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has awarded the first Approval in Principle (AIP) to VARD for its design of a Jones Act service operations vessel (SOV) for the U.S. offshore wind industry.

The AIP, which was awarded this week at the International Work Boat Show in New Orleans, is the first granted for a Jones Act-compliant SOV for the U.S. wind market. It covers customized VARD 4 07 US SOV design, which will be used for accommodation, transferring technicians to installations as well as storing spare parts and tools for operations at offshore wind farms.

According to Vard, the vessel is designed with a focus on low fuel consumption and ease of construction. Vard also says the design incorporates a state-of-the-art hull form designed for all weather conditions which, together with the specified propulsion configuration, offers economical steaming, enhanced seakeeping abilities, and excellent station keeping performance. The Vessel is optimized to reduce motions and accelerations in all degrees of freedom with the aim to increase operability and comfort.

ABS experience supporting the offshore wind industry have included classification of Seajacks Scylla, the world’s largest and most advanced wind farm installation and offshore construction vessel, constructed by Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea. It is also playing a role in supporting the development of innovative concepts for future floating wind farm projects, working with the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center.

“ABS is supporting innovation in the development of alternative energy systems all over the world and it is a real pleasure to be helping to deliver such an important vessel here in the U.S.,“ said Matthew Tremblay, Senior Vice President, ABS Global Offshore. “ABS’ industry-leading experience in offshore oil and gas allows us to offer practical support to the emerging US offshore wind industry.”

The SOV for VARD is designed for ABS Class notations ?A1, OFFSHORE SUPPORT VESSEL (WIND-SC), ?AMS, ?ACCU, DPS-2, HAB(WB.)

“With our track record in SOV and offshore vessel designs and ABS’ record in the offshore sector, working together to deliver this project seemed like a natural fit,” said Darren Truelock, Vice President, Vard Marine Houston. “We already have experience supporting yards worldwide to construct our offshore vessel designs, so it is with great enthusiasm that we now start on this exciting journey with ABS in the U.S.”

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