PaxOcean, Ulstein Sign Design Deal for Methanol-Ready Offshore Wind SOV

Ulstein Design & Solutions has signed a contract with PaxOcean Group, part of Kuok Maritime Group, for the design of a service operation vessel (SOV) for NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha). PaxOcean will construct the vessel at its Graha shipyard in Batam, Indonesia.

The vessel will support offshore wind construction, operations and maintenance activities, providing accommodation and logistical support for offshore personnel. Based on Ulstein’s SX222 platform, the SOV will measure 89.6 metres in length and 19.2 metres in beam and will accommodate up to 120 people.

TWIN X-STERN design supports offshore operations

The vessel will feature Ulstein’s TWIN X-STERN hull design, which is intended to provide manoeuvrability, station-keeping capability and improved energy efficiency.

The symmetrical hull and propulsion arrangement enable the vessel to operate efficiently in either direction. This reduces the need to turn the vessel when weather conditions change and is designed to support a wider operational window.

The SOV will be equipped with a dynamic positioning system, as well as a motion-compensated gangway and crane for personnel and cargo transfers to offshore wind turbines.

Methanol and electric operation prepared

The vessel will be prepared for methanol and fully electric operations, providing flexibility for the adoption of lower-emission energy solutions as operational requirements and infrastructure develop.

It will be classed by both DNV and China Classification Society (CR) and will operate under the Taiwan flag. Following delivery, NYK plans to deploy the SOV on offshore wind projects in Taiwan and other locations across the Asia-Pacific region.

Ulstein Design & Solutions will provide the vessel design and engineering package, while Ulstein Power & Control will supply an integrated DC-based hybrid power and automation system.

The system will integrate the vessel’s power generation, energy storage, propulsion and control systems with the overall vessel design.

PaxOcean and Ulstein expand offshore wind capabilities

Sidat Senanayake, Group Head of Commercial at PaxOcean, said the contract is an important project for the company as it strengthens its capabilities in specialised vessel construction.

He said PaxOcean has worked closely with NYK and Ulstein to develop a vessel that meets the customer’s operational requirements and the evolving needs of the offshore wind industry. He added that the project is also significant for PaxOcean as it establishes a stronger presence in a vessel segment supporting sustainable solutions.

Rolf Petter Almli, Sales Manager at Ulstein Design & Solutions, said the company looks forward to working with PaxOcean and NYK on the vessel, describing the contract as an important milestone for Ulstein and highlighting the relevance of its vessel designs and system solutions to the growing offshore wind market in Asia.

The project brings together Ulstein’s vessel design and hybrid power technology with PaxOcean’s shipbuilding capabilities for an SOV intended for offshore wind operations in the Asia-Pacific region.