Ørsted christens first US-built offshore wind service operation vessel

Ørsted and shipbuilder Edison Chouest Offshore (ECO) formally named a new service operation vessel (SOV) in a ceremony at the Port of New Orleans on Saturday, May 11.

ECO Edison is the first offshore wind SOV to be built in the United States. Measuring 262 feet ( metres) long, the vessel will serve as a floating, year-round homebase for 60 offshore wind turbine technicians who will work at-sea over the life of the wind farms, servicing and maintaining the wind turbines.

Ørsted said rhe SOV's special-purpose design is focused on passenger safety and comfort, enhanced manoeuvrability, extended offshore endurance, and reduced emissions. It includes special features like a walk-to-work, motion-compensated gangway that allows technicians to easily and safely access the wind turbines.

A smaller daughtercraft on board can be deployed to efficiently manoeuvre crew across the wind farms.

ECO Edison will be powered by two Caterpillar 3512E engines.