Newbuild contract with IWS Fleet will expand the Skywalker Class fleet to ten vessels, supporting offshore wind commissioning, operations and maintenance.
Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract with IWS Fleet AS, a subsidiary of Integrated Wind Solutions (IWS), to deliver vessel designs and integrated technology solutions for four new Skywalker Class Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs).
The vessels will be constructed by Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipment in China and will support the growing demand for specialist vessels serving the offshore wind industry.
The newbuilds are based on Kongsberg Maritime’s latest UT 5519 DEx design, representing the next generation of the Skywalker Class and building on the success and operational experience of the first six vessels delivered since 2023.
Designed specifically for offshore wind farm operations, the Skywalker Class CSOVs serve as advanced walk-to-work platforms, enabling technicians to live and work offshore for extended periods while supporting the commissioning, operation and maintenance of wind farms. Each vessel is designed to accommodate up to 120 personnel in high-standard onboard living quarters, providing a safe and comfortable working environment close to offshore assets.
With this latest contract, the Skywalker Class series will expand to ten vessels, further strengthening its position as a proven platform for supporting offshore wind installation, commissioning and maintenance activities. The vessels feature a distinctive double-ended design that enables efficient operations and rapid manoeuvring between turbines, helping operators maximise productivity while reducing transit times within wind farms.
“Kongsberg Maritime is proud to continue its collaboration with IWS Fleet on this next phase of the Skywalker Class programme,” said Per Ståle Nykrem, Director, Ship Design Sales, Kongsberg Maritime. This latest order takes the Skywalker Class series to ten vessels, underlining the confidence that owners and operators have in a design developed specifically for the requirements of offshore wind operations. The first six vessels have established a strong operational track record, and the UT 5519 DEx builds on that experience with further advances in efficiency, sustainability and performance.”
Johnny Aarseth, Executive Vice President, Energy & Control, Kongsberg Maritime, added: “The expansion of the Skywalker Class programme with these latest vessels demonstrates the strength of the partnership between IWS Fleet and Kongsberg Maritime. The fact that a ship owner returns to order additional vessels based on a Kongsberg Maritime design is a strong endorsement of the quality, performance, and future readiness of our vessels.
“Offshore wind developers are increasingly looking for vessels that can maximise technician uptime, operate efficiently between turbines and provide excellent onboard living conditions during extended campaigns. The new UT 5519 DEx meets all those demands and we look forward to delivering the next generation of these highly capable ships.”
In addition to vessel design and system integration, Kongsberg Maritime’s scope of supply includes electrical power systems, navigation and bridge systems, propulsion, deck machinery and dynamic positioning. The new vessels will feature rim-drive azimuth thrusters, with two forward and two aft, supporting the vessels’ fully symmetrical operating profile and double-ended design.
Utilising permanent magnet motor technology, the rim-drive thrusters offer high levels of energy efficiency while delivering rapid response characteristics and precise vessel control. Combined with Kongsberg Maritime’s advanced dynamic positioning system, the propulsion arrangement enables the vessels to maintain accurate station-keeping and manoeuvre efficiently between offshore wind turbines during demanding operational scenarios.
The first CSOV is due to be delivered in 2029.
