North Star and Cochin Shipyard Begin Construction on EnBW’s New Hybrid-Electric Service Operations Vessel

North Star and its shipbuilding partner Cochin Shipyard have recently celebrated the cutting of the first steel on EnBW’s innovative hybrid-electric service operations vessel (SOV). This vessel is set to serve the He Dreiht wind farm off the coast of Germany on a minimum ten-year charter starting from the end of 2026.

The ceremonial steel cutting took place on February 25, 2025 at Cochin Shipyard in India, where the meticulous planning, engineering design, and construction work are currently underway.

Designed to provide accommodation for up to 34 wind technicians, the new SOV will support the maintenance of the He Dreiht wind farm’s 64 wind turbines. Situated approximately 90 km northwest of the island of Borkum and 110 km west of Helgoland, this development plays a crucial role in Germany’s renewable energy infrastructure.

Constructed to VARD 407 specifications, the SOV will serve as a vital logistics hub and warehouse in addition to its primary role.

The vessel boasts advanced features such as Electric Voith Schneider propulsion (eVSP) and is engineered to utilize methanol as a fuel source in the future. It is also equipped with a height-adjustable motion-compensated gangway and a 3D compensated crane for efficient operations.

In a significant development, North Star also secured a contract with EnBW for a commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) named Grampian Kestrel. This vessel will support the construction and commissioning activities in 2025 before taking over EnBW’s operations and maintenance tasks until the arrival of the main SOV.

Commenting on the milestone, Bruno Bartel, North Star’s European renewables lead, expressed excitement about the project’s progress. He emphasized the collaborative efforts with EnBW and VARD to create a cutting-edge SOV with a new hull design to address sea state and wave height challenges, ensuring swift and safe personnel transfers.

With a strong focus on the comfort and well-being of wind technicians and crew members, the SOV offers top-notch accommodation and facilities to enhance operational efficiency.