Offshore wind farms operator RWE has sealed a long-term partnership with UK’s shipowner-operator North Star for ‘next-generation’ service operation vessels.
The companies have agreed that RWE will charter two service operation vessels (SOVs), the Grampian Eagle and the Grampian Kestrel, from North Star, both capable of using alternative low-emission fuels, RWE said in its statement on August 5, adding that full marine services will be delivered by North Star as part of the charters.
RWE and North Star have also signed reservation agreements for two newbuild vessels delivered by the Norwegian Vard Group.
The Grampian Eagle is chartered for at least 12 years. This vessel is planned to support the operations and maintenance activities at Triton Knoll offshore wind farm off the British coast.
For a minimum of 10 years the Grampian Kestrel will support the maintenance of RWE’s German offshore wind farms, located north of the island of Heligoland.
According to RWE, both vessels were built this year and offer the possibility to use alternative fuels to minimise CO2 emissions.
For Germany, the charter contract starts this winter and for the UK in summer 2026. RWE has the option to extend both contracts by up to additional three years.
Until the North Star vessels Grampian Eagle and Grampian Kestrel are available two vessels will be supplied by Windward Offshore until the end of 2026.
Furthermore, as part of the reservation agreements RWE has signed with North Star, two newbuild service operation vessels are planned to support the maintenance of RWE’s growing offshore wind fleet from 2028 and 2029 onwards. North Star already has selected the global shipbuilding company VARD to construct these vessels.
RWE currently operates 19 offshore wind farms in five countries and has four offshore wind projects under construction in four countries: Sofia off the coast of North East England, Thor in Denmark, OranjeWind off the Dutch coast and Nordseecluster north of the island of Juist, Germany.
The projects will be completed in the years 2026 to 2028.
