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Ulstein to develop Jones Act SOV

4C Offshore | Tom Russell
By: Tom Russell 16/10/2018 Ulstein

Florida-based Aeolus Energy Inc. awarded Ulstein the design contract to develop the first ever Jones Act compliant offshore wind Service Operations Vessel (SOV). Based on Ulstein’s SX195 design, a customised version will be developed meeting the specific requirements of Aeolus Energy and US Coast Guard.


Ulstein stated that the contract marks its entry into the US offshore wind market and serves as Aeolus’ initial investment towards a fleet of vessels including cable ships, crew transfer vessels and hotel ships, all to be constructed by US shipyards.


The project starts with customizing the SX195 design, to optimise the new walk-to-work vessel for operations in US offshore wind farms, including featuring the X-BOW and X-STERN hull shape.


Elia Golfin, CEO of Aeolus Energy Inc. “Together with Ulstein, we will develop a modern fleet, boost the American shipbuilding industry and pushing the envelope in the offshore wind industry where Jones Act-compliant vessels are concerned.”


Aeolus Energy Group, founded in 2012, provides technical and maintenance services to the wind, solar and offshore industry.


“Offshore wind is one of our core markets, and we are extremely proud to have been selected as design partner by Aeolus for developing the United States’ first purpose built SOV vessel,”
says Tore Ulstein, deputy CEO of Ulstein. “With our track record in SOV and offshore vessel designs, we are committed and do look forward to support Aeolus in realizing their offshore wind ambitions and develop their fleet portfolio. Using also our experiences in supporting yards worldwide to construct our innovative offshore vessel designs, it is with great enthusiasm that we now start on this exciting journey in the United States.”


For Ulstein, this is the fifth contract in offshore wind this year. Previous contracts included two SOVs, a cable lay vessel and a large foundation installation vessel.


Last month it held a steel cutting ceremony for an SOV to be operated by Bernhard Schulte, was carried out on 10th Sept 2018. The vessel is of the SX195 design from Ulstein, and is destined to support GE Renewable Energy's operations at the
Merkur wind farm off the coast of Germany.

For more information on service operations vessels,
click here.

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