Integrated Wind Solutions (IWS), through its subsidiary IWS Fleet AS, has officially taken delivery of its sixth Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), the IWS Sunwalker, built by shipyard China Merchants Industry Holdings Co., Ltd.
The IWS Sunwalker is a state-of-the-art vessel designed specifically to support offshore wind farm commissioning and service operations. IWS now fields a full fleet of six advanced CSOVs, strengthening its position as a key service partner to the offshore wind sector.
With this delivery, IWS Fleet has completed its EUR 288 million newbuilding program with the yard. The newbuilding program was debt-financed by the green senior secured credit facility of EUR 186.9 million, of which EUR 170 million is currently outstanding after repayments. The company is in a strong financial position with an average secured debt of only EUR 28 million per vessel.
The Skywalker Class is designed by Kongsberg Maritime and equipped with the latest generation 3D compensated gangway and crane systems. The vessels have several “industry firsts”, such as the largest battery packs in the industry with solar panels for additional charging, and a novel hull and propulsion design that increases operability and reduces emissions. The vessels are the first in the industry to have the “DNV SILENT” notation, which focuses on minimising the impact on marine life below water.
Christopher Andersen Heidenreich, COO and Managing Director of IWS Fleet, commented:
“We are proud to take delivery of IWS Sunwalker today. This is the sixth and final Skywalker Class CSOV to be delivered by the shipyard, and this concludes our current newbuilding program. With IWS Sunwalker joining her identical sister vessels, IWS Fleet now operates one of the most modern and energy-efficient fleets in the industry, and is ready to continue to support the development of offshore wind projects in the years to come.”
