Vard secures second ABS approval in principle for Jones Act SOV

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has granted the Approval in Principle (AIP) for the VARD 4 19 service operations vessel (SOV) design.

This represents Vard’s second AIP by ABS, with the first awarded at the end of last year for the customized version of the VARD 4 07 US SOV design.

This latest award addresses a customized version of the VARD 4 19 US SOV design, with primary functions including accommodation, transferring technicians to installations as well as storing spare parts and tools for operations at U.S. offshore wind farms.

“We believe that the US Offshore Wind market holds several promising opportunities for US owners, designers & shipbuilders. The US market seems to be moving quickly starting on the East Coast, so a purpose-built US Offshore Wind Jones Act fleet is inevitable,” said Darren Truelock, Vice President, Vard Marine Houston.  

“This creates some challenges for US designers and shipbuilders since the necessary SOVs need to be under construction now to support the Developer’s schedules. Delivery schedules and price points over the next year will be tested and squeezed in order to bring the right vessels online at the right time and within budget.”

Vard said it had designed the vessel to be environmentally friendly with a focus on low fuel consumption and ease of construction.

According to the company, the vessel will have the ABS Class notations + A1, OFFSHORE SUPPORT VESSEL (WIND-SC), +AMS, + ACCU, DPS-2, HAB(WB.)