Ørsted awards crew transfer vessel contract for US market

Ørsted and WindServe Marine LLC, part of Reinauer Group, have entered into a partnership to construct two purpose-built crew transfer vessels for the US offshore wind market.

The first CTV will be built by US Workboats in Hubert, North Carolina and utilized for Ørsted’s Coastal Virginia project, followed by subsequent service on other northeast projects.

The second CTV will be built by WindServe’s affiliate shipyard, Senesco Marine in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, specifically for Ørsted’s and Eversource’s Revolution Wind project off the southern New England coast.

Ørsted North America president and chief executive Thomas Brostrøm said, “Choosing WindServe to build our CTVs will provide locally built vessels and a local operator for the domestic offshore wind industry.

“WindServe Marine’s experience with Jones Act vessel operations and full service shipyard fabrication, coupled with their dedication to the future of green energy, make them a great partner as we expand operations along the East Coast.”

The CTVs will be designed by BMT Group specifically for US east coast conditions. They will be classed by DNV-GL.

The first CTV is already under construction with delivery anticipated early next year. Construction of the second CTV will commence in late 2020.