Ørsted Finalises Offshore Construction Logistics for Hornsea 3

Ørsted has confirmed the logistics setup for the offshore construction of its Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm, marking another major milestone in delivering what will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm once complete. As part of the strategy, a brand-new Service Operating Vessel (SOV), the Esvagt James Blythe, will join the fleet. Currently under construction, the vessel will play a key role in supporting offshore activity and is expected to provide at least 44 long-term jobs on board, contributing to both the project and the wider supply chain.

The SOV is one of ten transportation vehicles that will work on the construction phase of Hornsea 3 including, guard vessels, Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs), Jack Up vessels, an Uncrewed Service Vessel (USV) and two helicopters operated by CHC Helicopter. The H175 helicopter will have a seat capacity of up to 16 passengers and the AW139 up to 12 to enable smooth shift changes.

Scarborough-based Mainprize will be providing two vessels for the operation, which will act as guard vessels during the construction phase, helping to keep the wind farm and its workers safe by supporting safe navigation for marine traffic.

The USV will be used for surveys and will include radio communications equipment to extend the network of radio communications. It will monitor sea conditions so we know the optimum time for crews to transfer and as it is uncrewed, it improves safety.

The Enterprise Jack Up barge will be provided by Gulf Marine Services GMS . The self propelled self-elevating jack up barge will support and accommodate 120+ workers on the Offshore Converter Stations. It can work in sea depths of 80m.

Jason Ledden, Senior Project Director, Hornsea 3 at Ørsted, said: “Our vessels for construction and commissioning activities provide the backbone for building Hornsea 3. Effective logistics are key in moving our personnel, components and equipment so construction can take place safely and efficiently. This next stage in the project will bring more jobs and economic growth to the UK as well as clean power for more than 3 million households.”

Justin Coates, Commercial Manager, Mainprize Offshore, said: “Mainprize Offshore working with Van Laar Maritime are proud to support Ørsted in delivering Hornsea 3, the world’s largest single offshore wind farm. Our working relationship with Ørsted is built on trust, transparency, and a shared commitment to excellence. From the outset, the collaboration has been highly constructive, with open communication and a clear focus on shared goals. Hornsea 3 is not just a record-breaking renewable energy project – it is a milestone in the global transition to sustainable power. Being part of this effort is both an honor and a responsibility, and we are dedicated to contributing our expertise to ensure the project’s success, safely and efficiently.”

Dave Grant, Commercial Director – Europe, CHC Helicopter, said: “From Hornsea 1, to 2, and now 3, CHC has been right there with Ørsted – flying crews safely to and from the world’s most ambitious offshore wind projects. Hornsea 3 is a landmark for UK energy, and we’re proud to play our part in delivering offshore wind at this scale. This partnership works because of our shared commitment to safety and operational excellence. Being trusted across all three projects speaks to the strength of that relationship and to the dedication of our frontline teams.”

Brian Schlosser, Head of Commercials at MHO, said: “We are very pleased that our diesel electric hybrid CTVs have been chosen by Ørsted to perform construction support on the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm. Ørsted is an important client to us, supporting our vision for greener maritime operations by awarding contracts to our newest hybrid vessels. Their support enables us to advance our mission of reducing fuel consumption and lowering the carbon footprint of our CTVs”.

David Kristensson, Group CEO of Northern Offshore Services said: “We have a long-standing relationship with Ørsted, and we are glad to support the development of Hornsea 3. Over nearly two decades of collaboration, we’ve gained valuable experience together, and Ørsted is now chartering one of our latest, high-performance vessels from the E-Class series for this project.”