Norway’s VARD Selects Brunvoll Propulsion System for New Offshore Subsea Construction Vessel

Norway’s VARD has chosen Brunvoll’s comprehensive propulsion and manoeuvring system for a new offshore subsea construction vessel (OSCV) being constructed for Taiwan-based Dong Fang Offshore (DFO).

The 121.3-meter-long vessel of VARD 3 39 design is a highly versatile platform designed and equipped for subsea operation duties, offshore wind operations & maintenance (O&M) activities, as well as cable installation and repair scopes.

VARD signed a €113.5 million contract with DFO approximately two months ago to design and construct the vessel.

Brunvoll’s scope includes the delivery of two azimuth propulsion thrusters, two resiliently well-mounted tunnel thrusters, a retractable azimuth thruster, as well as the company’s BruCon propulsion and thruster control (PTC) system. The contract covers the delivery for one vessel, with one additional as an option.

“We have great confidence in Brunvoll. We expect excellent service, strong performance, and long-term reliability from their thrusters throughout the operational life of our new OSCV. At the same time, we hope this will be the first of many Brunvoll thrusters installed across our future fleet,” said Polin Chen, DFO’s CEO.

The OSCV will be equipped with a 250 MT active heave compensated offshore crane, two deck/boat landing cranes, a 1,200 m2 work deck prepared for cable repair or cable lay spread, and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) hangars ready for built-in ROVs on both sides. It will also be prepared for the installation of a motion-compensated gangway, an under-deck carousel, a large trencher, as well as a helideck.

It will have the capacity to accommodate a crew of 130 persons in 90 cabins.

“We are excited to continue our strong collaboration with VARD, contributing to the advanced capabilities of Dong Fang Offshore’s new OSCV. We are grateful for the trust Dong Fang Offshore has placed in Brunvoll’s solutions, and we look forward to supporting them throughout the vessel’s lifetime,” said Bernt Rune Riksfjord, VP Sales at Brunvoll.

This marks the third vessel VARD is constructing for DFO, with the first two being commissioning service operations vessels (CSOVs) contracted in May 2024.

The hull will be constructed at Vard Shipyards Romania – Braila, while the outfitting, commissioning, and delivery will take place at Vard Søviknes in Norway. The vessel is expected to be delivered in the second quarter of 2027.