On July 1st, the official steel cutting ceremony for NB 978 was held at Vard Shipyards Romania in Tulcea, marking the commencement of construction for Island Offshore’s latest next-generation vessel. The NB 978, a Hybrid Ocean Energy Construction Vessel of VARD 3 25 design, is being built in close collaboration between Island Offshore and VARD, and is the sister vessel to NB 977 currently under construction at Vard Shipyards Romania in Braila. The vessel boasts advanced station-keeping, maneuverability, and sea-keeping abilities, with a hull optimized for efficient operations and preparedness for alternative low emission fuels, supporting more sustainable operations at sea. Both companies expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing partnership and the milestones ahead.