Ulstein Verft has embarked on a significant project to retrofit the recently delivered offshore wind vessel, the Olympic Notos, for operations supporting unmanned oil and gas installations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

This retrofit project will provide substantial work for the Ulsteinvik, Norway, shipyard.

The Olympic Notos is a cutting-edge, hybrid-powered CSOV (commissioning service operation vessel) based on the Ulstein SX222 design. Constructed by Ulstein Verft and delivered to Fosnavåg, Norway-based Olympic Group in 2024, the vessel has demonstrated exceptional fuel efficiency and received rave reviews from major offshore wind clients for its comfort, operability, and efficiency.

Now, the vessel will be repurposed as a walk-to-work (W2W) vessel for unmanned production platforms on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, following a five-year charter contract secured by Olympic with AkerBP. The ship will undergo modifications to meet the specific requirements for servicing unmanned installations on the Norwegian shelf.

The Olympic Notos is specially designed for low emissions, high operability, and excellent living conditions, making it ideal for year-round operations in the challenging North Sea conditions. The W2W solution will ensure a permanent connection to the platform and serve as the primary evacuation route when personnel are on board the installation.

Marita Myrvågnes, area sales manager aftermarket at Ulstein Verft, stated, “We have collaborated closely with Olympic since January 2025 to ensure the vessel meets the specifications and requirements for this mission.”

The extensive retrofit is currently in progress, with design work led by Ulstein Design & Solutions. Prefabrication of components for the project will take place throughout the autumn. The conversion is scheduled for early 2026, with the Olympic Notos expected to be ready for offshore operations by spring 2026.