Built by VARD in Norway, the Windward Paris will immediately support a new German Bight wind farm project.
Windward Offshore has bolstered its growing fleet with the early delivery of its second Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), Windward Paris. The vessel, constructed by VARD in Norway, was handed over ahead of schedule at the Vard Brattvaag shipyard, marking another significant step in the company’s rapid expansion within the offshore wind market.
Following delivery, Windward Paris will immediately commence operations under charter, supporting the construction of a new offshore wind farm in the German Bight. Its sister vessel, Windward Athens, is already active in the sector, currently fulfilling a long-term O&M contract.
As demand for safe and efficient offshore wind support services continues to grow, Windward Offshore is building a dedicated CSOV fleet designed to meet the industry’s requirements across installation, commissioning and long-term operations. Windward Paris is based on the proven VARD 4 19 design and purpose-built to support offshore wind installation, commissioning and O&M activities. With a length of 87.5 metres and a beam of 19.5 metres, the vessel provides accommodation for up to 120 people and combines high operational capability with a sustainability-focused technology setup.
Key features include a height-adjustable motion-compensated gangway with elevator system, a height-adjustable boat landing system, and a battery hybrid system prepared for future operation on green methanol. This configuration supports safe transfers and reliable offshore performance while also enabling a pathway towards lower-emission operations.
Caspar Blum, General Manager at Windward Offshore, said: “With Windward Paris joining the fleet, we are adding immediate capacity and flexibility for our offshore wind customers. The vessel is designed around safe personnel transfer, efficient offshore workflows and reduced environmental footprint. This delivery is another concrete step in building a modern service platform that can support projects reliably from commissioning through to long-term operations.”
To support efficient and smart operations at sea, Windward Paris is equipped with an integrated automation and bridge setup and includes advanced onboard systems for power, control and communications, supporting optimized operational planning and performance. The vessel also features an electric controlled motion compensated crane designed for offshore wind operations, enabling smooth and precise lifting performance even in challenging offshore conditions.
Windward Paris is the second of four CSOVs contracted by Windward Offshore, with Windward Munich and Windward Hamburg currently under construction. Once completed, the four-vessel series will form the backbone of Windward Offshore’s integrated service offering to the offshore wind sector and support customers throughout the offshore wind lifecycle with modern assets and reliable execution.
