Japanese shipping conglomerate Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Taiwan shipowner Ta Tong Marine have through their joint venture company Ta San Shang Marine (TSSM) signed on 21st November a shipbuilding contract for a new service operation vessel (SOV) with Dutch-headquartered Damen Shipyards.

This newbuilding will be TSSM’s second Taiwan-flagged SOV, following the SOV “TSS Pioneer” which was delivered in 2022, and this new ordered SOV vessel is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2025 from Damen in Vietnam.

The new CSOV, which is methanol ready as a future fuel, will support offshore wind farms in Taiwan, and, backed by the experience in SOV operation cultivated with the “TSS Pioneer”, it will provide comfortable accommodations at sea for personnel from windfarm developers, wind turbine manufacturers, construction companies, and so on.

The safe transfer of personnels and supplies from the vessel to the offshore wind farm will contribute to the development of Taiwan’s offshore wind power industry.

“In addition to the TSS Pioneer, this new CSOV operation will solidify TSSM’s position as an SOV player in Taiwan. Also, we would like to use this project as a stepping stone for MOL’s SOV business development in the Asian region, including Japan,” said Masayuki Sugiyama, MOL executive officer responsible for Wind Power Project Unit.

“With our experience in operating Asia’s first dedicated offshore wind SOV, we’re now prepared to offer more for the Green Energy Industry. This Damen CSOV will be a valuable new force to support Taiwan offshore wind developments and other future projects in Asia Pacific region. We, as always, will continue to provide safe working environment and a comfortable home at sea for technicians and marine crew,” noted Hrong Nain Lin, chairman of TSSM.

“We are very honored to welcome TSSM into the Damen family. We are also very happy that after reviewing the options, TSSM has opted for the proven Damen CSOV9020 design. We are confident that this new vessel will make a significant contribution to the development of the Taiwanese offshore wind sector and beyond. We look forward to a very fruitful and long relationship with TSSM,” pointed out Arnout Damen, chief executive of Damen Shipyards.