https://splash247.com/north-star-taps-cochin-shipyard-for-siemens-gamesa-backed-sov-newbuild/

UK offshore support vessel (OSV) owner and operator North Star has announced a significant agreement with turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa for a hybrid service operations vessel (SOV). This vessel is slated for long-term charter at the East Anglia Three offshore wind farm, located off the Suffolk coast in England. The new SOV, to be constructed at Cochin Shipyard in India, will be the eighth hybrid unit in North Star's renewables fleet since the company's strategic expansion into the market two and a half years ago. Earlier this month, the state-owned Cochin Shipyard disclosed a contract for one firm and two optional hybrid SOVs, without specifying the client, which has now been identified as North Star.

The vessel will feature the Vard 4 19 design, consistent with another Vard-designed unit currently under construction at the same shipyard. This sister vessel is destined for a decade-long charter with EnBW at the He Dreiht wind farm off Germany. The East Anglia Three wind farm is projected to have a total capacity of 1,400 MW, capable of generating green electricity to power over 1.3 million homes. The new SOV will accommodate up to 60 wind technicians and is scheduled for delivery to Siemens Gamesa in late 2026. The charter will commence with North Star’s commissioning SOV, the Kestrel, in April 2026.