Inspection Repair Maintenance News

The substructures for fixed offshore wind turbines weigh thousands of tonnes. Only about five vessels in the world can lift that much weight. So now researchers are testing an alternative: an unusually wide barge.Using experience gained from the oil and gas industry, Aker Solutions, the Belgian contractor Sarens, and the maritime group BOA recently spent time at SINTEF’s Ocean Basin in Trondheim. There they used models to test the feasibility of employing an extra-wide barge to transport several substructures simultaneously.

Taihan Cable & Solution has acquired a second cable laying vessel (CLV) from DOF Group to strengthen its offshore wind and subsea power cable installation capabilities amid growing global demand for grid interconnection infrastructure.The South Korean company signed a vessel sale and purchase agreement with DOF for the 10,000-ton-class cable-laying vessel Skandi Connector, which is scheduled for delivery to Korea in August.The vessel joins Taihan’s existing offshore wind-dedicated cable-laying vessel PALOS…

Dutch non-destructive testing specialist Ned Marine has launched drone and remotely operated vehicle (ROV)-based inspection services aimed at vessels, offshore installations and industrial assets.The company said the new services combine aerial drones and subsea ROVs with existing non-destructive testing (NDT) capabilities, including visual inspections and ultrasonic thickness measurements.Ned Marine said drone-based inspections would allow surveys of confined spaces, offshore and onshore wind turbines…

Fast Offshore Supply (FOS) has selected Incat Crowther to design a fleet of 10 new DP2 fast crew transfer vessels (CTVs) for offshore operations supporting Brunei Shell Petroleum, a joint venture between Shell and the Government of Brunei.The 55-metre aluminum vessels will transport offshore personnel and cargo to Brunei Shell Petroleum assets and will be built at multiple shipyards in the region, including FOS’s own yard in Singapore.The vessels will each carry up to 80 passengers and 150 tonnes of cargo at speeds of up to 30 knots…

New Wave Offshore Energy has been selected by Shell to provide marine warranty survey services for the Orca project in Brazil’s pre-salt Santos Basin.The contract covers marine warranty and assurance services for the offshore development, which is estimated to contain recoverable resources of about 370 million barrels.New Wave Offshore’s scope includes vessel surveys, engineering review and oversight of transportation and installation operations across multiple project phases.The…

Ta San Shang Marine (TSSM), a joint venture between Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Taiwan’s Ta Tong Marine, has taken delivery of a new commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV), the TSS Cruiser, which is now ready to support offshore wind farm operations in Taiwan.Built by Damen Shipyards in Ha Long in Vietnam, the TSS Cruiser is the second service operation vessel operated by TSSM following the delivery of the TSS Pioneer in 2022, which the company described as Asia’s first SOV.The new vessel is designed to support offshore wind farm construction and commissioning activities in Taiwan…

Solstad Offshore has signed a letter of intent with an international subsea contractor for the charter of construction support vessel (CSV) Normand Maximus.The contract is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027 and run through the first quarter of 2029, with an option to extend it to the first quarter of 2030.Under the agreement, Normand Maximus will support worldwide operations for the client, Solstad said.The company added that it will provide two work-class remotely operated vehicles…

Norwegian subsea services firm Reach Subsea has received a letter of intent for a multi-year contract covering inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) and light construction services in the Mediterranean and Black Sea.Aside from the letter of intent, covering a 2+1-year IMR and light construction services, Reach Subsea has also entered into a separate letter of intent with Solstad Maritime for the charter of the vessel Normand Jarstein in connection with the award.A commitment has been signed to commence the vessel’s transit this week…

Norwegian offshore vessel owner and subsea services provider DOF Group said it has secured a contract for subsea commissioning support services in the Asia-Pacific region, with offshore operations planned in North Australian waters.The company said its vessel Skandi Inventor will be deployed for the campaign, which is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2027 and is expected to last between 120 and 180 days.The scope of work includes project management, engineering, procurement…

The changing global bottom-fixed offshore wind turbine and foundation installation marketThe last two or three years have seen a change in the underlying stakeholder support for the energy transition, resulting in the energy trilemma being focused more on energy security and affordability than transition, which means a pivot away from renewables to increased support for oil & gas. At the same time, inflation and interest rates have impacted project economics. Needless to say,…

Offshore services provider Bourbon has expanded its fleet with 13 vessels valued at more than $180 million since the start of 2026, as it seeks to strengthen its position in offshore markets, the company said.Ten of the vessels are already under contract, reflecting demand for offshore support vessels (OSVs), Bourbon said.The expansion includes the acquisition of six diesel-electric vessels from the Minsheng Group, comprising five platform supply vessels (PSV) and one 80-ton bollard pull anchor handling tug supply vessel (AHTS)…

Malaysia-based offshore support vessel (OSV) provider Nam Cheong has sold two vessels for $36.7 million, including its first newbuild sale in more than a decade.The transactions include a newly built multi-purpose support vessel (MPSV) and a 120-tonne anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessel, which was 16 years old and divested following the completion of its charter contract in the first quarter of 2026.Both vessels were delivered in the second quarter of 2026 to a vessel operator…

A federal judge on Tuesday blocked President Donald Trump's administration from enforcing a series of permitting policies that wind and solar energy industry groups say have stymied the development of new energy generation projects.Chief U.S. District Judge Denise Casper in Boston issued a preliminary injunction sought by nine advocacy groups and industry trade associations that argued the administration had imposed unlawful roadblocks that have halted the development of wind and solar energy projects nationwide.The judge said the plaintiffs were likely to succeed in showing the U.S.

China-based offshore wind foundations manufacturer Dajin Heavy Industry has launched a 40,000 DWT deck carrier, KING TWO, at its Panjin shipbuilding facility.The vessel, launched on April 19, is the second large-scale deck carrier built at the facility, following KING ONE, which has already completed its maiden voyage.KING TWO measures 239.8 meters in length, 51 meters in breadth and 13 meters in depth, with a deck area of 12,000 square meters.The vessel is equipped with dual engines and dual propellers…

LD TravOcean, a subsidiary of Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) Group, has acquired a DP2 multipurpose support vessel as part of efforts to expand its subsea capabilities.The vessel, SIDDIS Mariner, will be renamed TVO Mariner and is scheduled for delivery in summer 2026.The company said the acquisition is aimed at enabling the delivery of integrated subsea solutions combining vessel operations, equipment and expertise.The vessel will support activities including telecom cable work…

CoreMarine & Jumbo Offshore have announced the award of a significant contract to perform the transport and installation of the soft-yoke (SSY) mooring systems, and hook-up of both the Hilli Episeyo FLNG and MKII FLNG vessels, in Argentina’s Golfo San Matías. The award represents a milestone for both companies as well as a breakthrough project for Argentina’s gas sector as it ramps up in export capabilities.The contract has been awarded by Southern Energy S.A. (SESA), supported by an international consortium comprising Pan American Energy, YPF, Pampa Energía, Harbour Energy, and Golar LNG.

The Spanish shipyard C.N.P. FREIRE, S.A. (Freire Shipyard) held the launch ceremony of the diving support vessel, hull number 739, built for the Armada Logistics Support Command: A22 Proserpina in Vigo. Delivery is scheduled for later this year.The ceremony was presided over by the shipyard's General Managers, Marcos and Guillermo Freire, accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Armada (AJEMA), His Excellency Antonio Piñeiro Sánchez. Also in attendance were civil and military authorities.

NYK has jointly implemented a crew transfer vessel (CTV) newbuilding project that applies 3D technology as a core platform throughout the design and construction process.This project is being carried out in collaboration with Kosaba Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Smert Design Co., Ltd.CTVs transporting crews to offshore wind farms must meet high standards of safety, operability, and maintenance and inspection efficiency. Consequently, the design and construction phases now demand…

Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Maritime has secured a two-year extension of the current contract for the subsea construction vessel (CSV) Normand Fortress with Petrobras.The extension will start in early July 2026. Under the extended contract, the vessel will provide accommodation services to support production activities on the Brazilian continental shelf.The gross contract value for the contract extension is approximately $56 million.The vessel will be on bareboat contract from Solstad Maritime to Solstad Offshore, which is the contract holder with Petrobras.

Van Oord has installed three monopile foundations using GBM Works' jetting solution in combination with CAPE’s vibro lifting tool for the first time at commercial scale, a milestone in silent offshore installation.Designed to reduce underwater noise and minimise impact on marine life, the method was deployed at Ecowende's Hollandse Kust West wind farm using Van Oord's new offshore wind installation vessel Boreas.GBM Works' VibroJet® technology combines vibrations with controlled water jets inside the monopile to fluidise the soil and reduce resistance.

Belgian marine contractor Jan De Nul has launched its second next-generation cable laying vessel (CLV), William Thomson, as it expands capacity to support growing offshore wind and grid interconnection projects.The William Thomson vessel follows the earlier launch of its sister ship Fleeming Jenkin in October 2025, with both units set to become the largest cable-laying vessels of their kind.Both vessels, launched at CMHI Haimen shipyard in China, measure 215 meters in length and has a cable-carrying capacity of 28…

Cadeler has raised approximately $203 million (€175 million) through a private placement to fund planned investments in new offshore wind installation vessels and potential asset acquisitions.The offshore wind contractor said the proceeds will support initial capital commitments for two proposed T-class wind foundation installation vessel newbuilds, as well as the potential acquisition and conversion of a scour protection vessel.According to Cadeler, the private placement was…

ClassNK has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of a liquefied CO2 carrier intended to support a floating offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) injection facility.The vessel is designed to serve a Socket SPAR unit, a floating injection system being considered for deployment in deepwater environments where subsea pipeline-based CO2 storage is not feasible.The certification confirms the feasibility of the carrier design from regulatory and safety perspectives…