China’s First Offshore Wind SOVs Launched

The first two purpose-built Service Operation Vessels (SOV) for the Chinese offshore wind market have been launched at the ZMPC shipyard in China.

The two Ulstein-designed SOVs are being built for Shanghai Electric Windpower Group and will enhance the efficiency of offshore wind farm operations in China, particularly in construction support and maintenance stages, by providing reliable and eco-friendly platforms, comfortable workspaces, safe access to wind turbines, and logistics capability.

The two vessels are being built to separate Ulstein designs, SX195 and SX197, with capacities of 100 and 60 people on board, respectively. Each features Ulstein’s X-BOW and X-STERN and installed battery power that will contribute to a greener footprint when servicing the renewable energy sector.

They are expected to be operational by 2024.

LAUNCH VIDEO

Ulstein Design & Solutions was contracted for the design of the vessels in January 2022, marking Norwegian shipbuilding group’s entry into the Chinese offshore wind market.

China offshore wind farm developers, including State Power Investment Corporation, Three Gorges Corporation, and China Nuclear Power, attended the launch ceremony.

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