Integrated Wind Solutions, through its subsidiary IWS Fleet AS, announce the successful delivery of its fifth Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), the IWS Moonwalker, from China Merchants Industry Holdings Co., Ltd. The vessel is currently en route to Europe, where it will soon join IWS Fleet’s expanding offshore wind support operations.
In addition to the delivery, IWS Fleet has signed a fixed 200-day charter contract, with options, for the IWS Moonwalker with an existing client. The charter is scheduled to commence in September 2025, following the vessel’s arrival and final preparations in Europe.
IWS Moonwalker is a state-of-the-art Commissioning Service Operation Vessel, purpose-built to provide services to offshore wind farms. It is the fifth in a series of six identical sister vessels, with the final vessel also scheduled for delivery in 2025.
Christopher Andersen Heidenreich, COO and Managing Director of IWS Fleet, commented: “We are pleased to successfully take delivery of our fifth CSOV, IWS Moonwalker, which has also secured its first charter contract. This is our fifth consecutive vessel to secure a charter contract before it arrives in Europe. We view this contract with an existing Tier 1 client as confirmation that the Skywalker-class CSOVs and their crews are delivering to the highest standards in terms of performance and reliability. We remain dedicated to delivering high-quality services to contractors, developers, and owners of offshore wind farms during the construction, commissioning, and operation phases.”
Kongsberg Maritime provided design and system integration, with main propulsion coming from four, US 255 L PM azimuth thrusters, with permanent magnet (PM) motors. This offers fully symmetrical propulsion and manoeuvring system, matching the symmetrical hull design, fore and aft.
The double-ended configuration is perfect for DP and the walk-to-work application. Kongsberg Maritime’s DP system allows the operator to use a fully automated mode when travelling between turbines on a pre-defined transit plan for maximum efficiency.
The Integrated Wind Solutions Skywalker class vessels have IMO Tier 3 engines and a 2.2MWh battery back. The vessels also prioritise crew wellbeing, which is critical for morale and productivity.
