The first steel has been cut for Integrated Wind Solutions AS ("IWS") first Construction Service Operation Vessel at the China Merchants Heavy Industry facility in Jiangsu, China. The ceremony held 14th of January 2022 marks a major milestone in bringing the series of IWS Fleet’s offshore wind service vessels into the renewables market. The vessel will be named IWS Skywalker and commence its first contract at the Dogger Bank Wind Farm in summer 2023. Dogger Bank Wind Farm is owned by SSE, Equinor, and ENI.
IWS Skywalker is designed specifically to support commissioning works during the construction of wind farms, as well as supporting operations and maintenance during the lifetime of offshore wind farms, bottom fixed and floating.
The hybrid powered vessel will be one of the first vessel in the industry capable of zero emission operations. The vessel is designed by Kongsberg Maritime and equipped with the latest generation fully compensated gangway and crane from MacGregor. The vessel has several “industry firsts” having the largest battery pack with solar panels for charging, hull and propulsion design increasing operability and reducing emissions, and an energy consumption estimated to be 20% lower than other CSOV’s currently under construction. The vessel is also the first in the industry to have the “DNV SILENT” notation, which focuses on minimizing the impact on marine life below water. Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment (ENOVA) has granted EUR 1 million to support the environmental initiatives on IWS Skywalker as the vessels advanced technology will reduce annual emissions by more than 1,300t CO2 equivalents.
“This new vessel is reflecting Integrated Wind Solutions’ ambitions to be a front-runner in the industry as an unmatched integrated supplier of services in the offshore wind industry. IWS Skywalker will take the industry to new heights as it pushes the boundaries of operability, environmental impact and efficiency” says Christopher A. Heidenreich, COO of the Integrated Wind Solutions AS.
The second vessel of the Skywalker class will be delivered mid-2023, and based on the keen interest in our design and capabilities and strong market demand, Integrated Wind Solutions is in dialog for ordering additional vessels of the Skywalker class for delivery early 2024.
About Integrated Wind Solutions AS:
Integrated Wind Solutions AS (ticker code: IWS) offers a fleet of state-of-the-art service vessels to the offshore wind industry combined with a suite of adhering services to reduce levelized cost of energy (LCOE) for offshore wind. The Company has two UT5519DE Design Wind Farm Support Vessels under construction with delivery in 2023, and options for up to four additional sister vessels. Furthermore, Integrated Wind Solutions has a supply-chain service company, IWS Services A/S, in Denmark and a 30% ownership in the independent advisor, consultancy, data intelligence and wind farm operator firm, PEAK-Wind Group. Integrated Wind Solutions is headquartered in Oslo, Norway. For more information, see the company website: integratedwind.com.