Njord Subsea and Chartwell Marine combine offshore construction and naval architecture expertise to develop a specialist vessel for floating offshore wind installation and subsea activities
Njord Subsea and Chartwell Marine have completed a collaborative vessel design challenge aimed at addressing the emerging operational demands of next-generation floating offshore wind projects in the UK and international markets.
As the offshore energy sector accelerates the deployment of floating wind technology, new classes of specialist offshore vessels are required to support the complex installation, maintenance and long-term operation of deep-water renewable infrastructure and complex mooring systems.
Combining Chartwell Marine’s renowned expertise in next generation vessel design with Njord Subsea’s extensive experience in offshore construction and project execution, the two companies have developed an innovative concept vessel tailored specifically to these evolving requirements.
The design challenge focused on defining a vessel capable of delivering safe, efficient, and cost‑effective support for floating turbine deployment and lifecycle operations. Key areas explored included enhanced operational flexibility, expanded deck capacity, storage solutions, overboarding systems and improved operational efficiency to align with net‑zero maritime objectives.
Andrew Newman, Director at Njord Subsea, commented on the collaboration:“Floating Wind has the potential to revolutionise both green energy generation and how we view the marine space. The challenges that come with it require all disciplines to come together, and it has been immensely satisfying to work with one of the undisputed thought leaders in the marine space, Chartwell Marine.”
The partnership reflects a growing recognition that cross‑disciplinary cooperation is essential to unlocking the full potential of floating wind technologies. As the sector moves from pilot projects to large‑scale commercial deployment, both companies see significant opportunities for innovation in vessel design, marine operations, and project delivery.
The resulting concept establishes a new benchmark for operational capability and sustainability in offshore mooring installation vessels and represents an important step toward enabling the next generation of floating wind developments.
“We’re really pleased to be collaborating with Njord Subsea on this new vessel and applying our offshore wind expertise alongside their operational insight to create a highly capable solution for the next generation of floating wind projects,” said Andy Page, Managing Director at Chartwell Marine. “By focusing on operational flexibility and efficiency from the outset, we can deliver a vessel that is designed for the task at hand.”
