China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) has handed over the first commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) in a series of six ordered by Norwegian offshore support company Integrated Wind Solutions (IWS) for operation by its subsidiary IWS Fleet.
The DNV-classed, Kongsberg Maritime-designed IWS Skywalker has an LOA of 91 metres, a beam of 19.6 metres, a draught of 5.9 metres, a gross tonnage of 6,918, a deadweight tonnage of 2,000, and accommodations for 30 crewmembers plus up to 90 additional personnel.
The vessel also features a hybrid propulsion system with IMO Tier III variable-speed engines, a large Corvus Energy 2.2MWh battery pack with solar panels for charging, a fully integrated and compensated walk-to-work gangway, and a 3D compensated knuckle boom crane that can lift cargo fully compensated from the vessel deck to a fixed or floating wind turbine or perform subsea operations for the balance of plant scope. The crane and the gangway were supplied by MacGregor.
In conjunction with the hybrid propulsion, the CSOV's hull design improves operating efficiency and reduces emissions and noise. This arrangement minimises impact on the surrounding marine life, thus allowing the vessel to satisfy the requirements of DNV's SILENT notation.
The open aft deck has a total area of 400 square metres while the warehouse has 420 square metres. Fitted at the stern is a stepless boat landing to ensure safe transfer to and from smaller crewboats that ferry personnel between the CSOV and wind turbines. Space is also available for a helicopter deck and a 12.5-metre-long daughtercraft with seating for up to 12 technicians. The daughtercraft is deployed and recovered using a dedicated davit.
The wheelhouse offers a full 360 degrees of visibility. This enables the crew to directly supervise transfers of personnel and cargo as well as the operation of the other essential machinery on the aft deck.
The accommodation spaces also include dedicated client offices and recreational areas. The interior spaces are configured to comply with DNV's COMF V(2) C(2) notation. The electronics suite meanwhile includes gear from Intellian and a DP2 system.
IWS Skywalker will initially be deployed under contract at the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm in UK waters.
| IWS Skywalker | |
| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Type of vessel: | Commissioning service operation vessel |
| Classification: | DNV ✠1A, Offshore Service Vessel (Windfarm Maintenance), E0, BIS, Strengthened (DK), COMF (V-2, C-2), NAUT-OSV, CLEAN(DESIGN) *, Recyclable, DYNPOS (AUTR), BWM-(T),CRANE, Walk2Work, Battery (Power), LCS, ER(SCR)*, SILENT(E), Cyber Secure, HELDK-SH |
| Flag: | Norway |
| Owner: | Intergrated Wind Solutions, Norway |
| Operator: | IWS Fleet, Norway |
| Designer: | Kongsberg Maritime, Norway |
| Builder: | China Merchants Heavy Industry Jiangsu |
| Length overall: | 91 metres |
| Beam: | 19.6 metres |
| Draught: | 5.9 metres |
| Deadweight tonnage: | 2,000 |
| Gross tonnage: | 6,918 |
| Capacity: | 820 square metres |
| Batteries: | Corvus Energy, 2.2 MWh |
| Other electronics: | Intellian |
| Crane: | MacGregor |
| Other deck equipment: | MacGregor gangway |
| Accommodation: | Client offices; recreational areas |
| Crew: | 30 |
| Passengers: | 90 |
