DFO contracts VARD for one offshore subsea construction vessel

Dong Fang Offshore has appointed VARD to design and construct an Offshore Subsea Construction Vessel of VARD 3 39 design. 

This is the third vessel VARD is building for DFO, with the first two being Commissioning Service Operations Vessels, contracted in May 2024.

The vessel contracted is a highly versatile platform designed and equipped for subsea operation duties, offshore wind operations & maintenance activities, as well as cable installation and repair scopes in the offshore wind and telecoms sectors. With its highly optimized hull form together with a powerful propulsion configuration, the vessel will have particularly good sea-keeping capabilities, including reduced motions and accelerations and excellent station keeping performance. 

The design has focused on the environmental footprint with an efficient machinery and propulsion set-up for high station keeping capabilities including battery hybrid propulsion, delivering improved workability and operational reliability.

The vessel is fitted with a 250 MT active heave compensated offshore crane which enables the vessel to perform advanced subsea operations, a 1,200 m2 work deck prepared for a cable repair or cable lay spread, and ROV hangars prepared for built-in ROVs on both sides.

The large design flexibility allows the vessel to accommodate future operational demands. The vessel is prepared for the installation of a motion compensated gangway, an under-deck carousel, the installation of a large trencher and is in addition prepared for helideck installation. 

The vessel has 90 cabins to accommodate 130 people on board. Operational centers such as offices, briefing rooms, conference room/cinema and dayrooms have been designed to meet a high standard in the market, and furnishings will be completed to a premium standard by Vard interiors.  

Polin Chen, CEO in DFO, says:

"We are pleased to return to VARD with a new order for a Offshore Subsea Construction Vessel to support our growing international client base. The order complements the two SOV’s we have ordered against long-term contracts and opens the door for DFO to expand its service offering in the offshore wind, energy and telecoms markets.  

Furthermore, this new order together with the option(s) attached to this agreement ensures that DFO continues to build fleet scale and latitude to continue to deliver a one-stop solution to our customers. The choice of Norway as a build country for our first ever newbuild OSCV also ensures that we continue to deliver on our promise of on-time, high quality, reliable services to our valued customers, as well as delivering a safe and comfortable work environment for our crew and clients staying on board."