VARD has successfully delivered the groundbreaking NB 973 Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) to Purus Marine, ahead of schedule. The vessel achieves a historic industry milestone as the first CSOV to receive DNV’s prestigious COMF-C2 V1 class notation, setting new standards for crew comfort and environmental performance in offshore wind operations.
This sets a new global benchmark for offshore working conditions. The strictest comfort class notations – C2 (climate) and V1 (noise and vibration) – reflect VARD’s and Purus’ dedication to health, safety, and well-being at sea. It ensures optimal onboard temperature regulation, reduced noise and vibration throughout the vessel, directly supporting crew welfare and long-term performance.
“With NB 973, we’re not only delivering a highly advanced and sustainable vessel – we are redefining the standards for life at sea. This delivery reflects the power of collaboration, innovation, and commitment across our entire value chain. Congratulations to Purus on this milestone, and a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated VARD teams who made it possible”, says Cathrine Marti, CEO of VARD.
NB 973 is an 87.7-meter CSOV of the VARD 4 19 design, developed by Vard Design in Ålesund and tailor-made with Purus to meet the challenges of the offshore wind industry. The vessel is designed for:
- Excellent sea-keeping and fuel efficiency with a modern hull and optimized propulsion system
- Battery hybrid propulsion allowing zero-emission operation for periods
- Methanol-ready configuration for future green fuel options
- Focus on operability, logistics flow, and crew comfort at sea
This vessel represents Purus’ continued commitment to operational excellence and sustainable offshore solutions. Purus also extended its thanks to the VARD team for the safe and successful handover and expressed pride in welcoming the vessel to its fleet, highlighting the value it is expected to bring to clients and partners.
This state-of-the-art vessel highlights the strength of VARD’s integrated value chain. The hull was constructed at Vard Shipyards Romania – Tulcea, and the final outfitting and commissioning were completed at Vard Søviknes, demonstrating smooth cooperation across locations and disciplines.
The CSOV features top-tier equipment from VARD subsidiary SEAONICS, including the Electric Controlled Motion Compensated (ECMC) crane. This innovative system keeps loads stable and close to the crane tip from deck to TP platform, ensuring efficient and safe cargo handling. The stepless walk-to-work system, capable of seamless operation between 15 and 30 meters above sea level, further enhances the vessel’s operational capabilities for personnel and cargo transfer.
NB 973 also showcases the expertise of Vard Interiors, delivering key systems that support crew comfort and high-quality operations onboard. This includes the complete HVAC system, provision and refrigeration systems, piping, and interior outfitting. These deliveries are crucial to ensuring optimal indoor climate, and functional living and working spaces – all tailored for life at sea.
NB 973 is equipped with a complete SeaQ package from Vard Electro, covering all core systems for smart, safe, and efficient operations. This includes the SeaQ Bridge (Integrated Bridge System), SeaQ Power (drives, switchboards, ESS), SeaQ Control (IAS, PMS, EMS, Green Pilot), and SeaQ Communication (CCTV, LAN/WLAN, telephony, entertainment) – enabling optimized vessel performance and comfort.
We congratulate Purus on taking delivery of a Commissioning Service Operation Vessel that not only represents the next generation of offshore wind support but also sets a new standard for comfort and sustainability at sea.
Thank you to everyone involved in Tulcea, Søviknes, Ålesund, and across the VARD organization for their dedication and collaboration in bringing this advanced vessel to life – delivered as planned, and built for the future.
