Aeolus Picks Ulstein Design for First Jones Act-Compliant SOV

US-based Aeolus Energy has signed an agreement with Norway’s Ulstein Design & Solutions, B.V. to design a Service Operations Vessel (SOV).

When constructed, the vessel will be Jones Act-compliant and will serve as the initial Aeolus investment into a fleet of vessels including cable ships, crew transfer vessels and hotel ships, all designed to service the offshore wind industry from installation through decommissioning, the company said.

The SOV will be based upon Ulstein’s SX195 design and will be fully customized to Aeolus’s specifications. The vessel will be constructed at US shipyards.

The Jones Act requires that any vessel transporting cargo between US ports, or between US ports and offshore facilities, is built and flagged in the US.

“The design and ultimate construction of these vessels will result in significant job creation and is a demonstration of confidence in the American shipbuilding industry,” said Elia Golfin, CEO of Aeolus Energy Inc.

“We are excited to be working with Ulstein, an established market leader in vessel design for offshore wind. We look forward to pushing the envelope in the offshore wind industry where Jones Act-compliant vessels are concerned.”

With this announcement, Aeolus is committing to construct each of its vessels at US shipyards. The Aeolus fleet will be fully Jones Act-compliant, ultimately consisting of vessels spanning the full range of offshore wind farm requirements. Currently, such a fleet does not exist in the United States, Aeolus said.

“Ulstein is proud to have been selected as design partner by Aeolus for developing the United States’ first purpose built SOV vessel,” said Tore Ulstein, deputy CEO of Ulstein.

“With our track record in SOV designs and supporting yards worldwide in building our innovative designs, we are committed to support Aeolus and its chosen US shipyards in realizing Aeolus’ new fleet development and jointly set the standard for excellent, Jones Act-compliant offshore wind vessels.”