The Norwegian ship designer and shipbuilder of specialized vessels Vard has signed a new contract with the Taiwanese based Dong Fang Offshore for the design and construction of one commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV), a sister vessel to the two vessels VARD contracted with DFO in May 2024.
Vard states that this new contract is a declaration of an option in the contract DFO signed in April 2025 for one offshore subsea construction vessel (OSCV).
After sealing the contract for two CSOVs in May 2024, Taiwanese Dong Fang Offshore (DFO) is adding a third vessel of the same design. The VARD 4 39 design was a new design from VARD developed in collaboration between DFO and VARD.
According to Vard, the design gives a highly versatile all-round platform for sustainable windfarm support operations both as a service vessel for the wind farms and for the building and installation phase.
Upon delivery, the CSOV will commence a minimum 15-year service contract for an undisclosed wind farm customer in Taiwan.
The vessel has an aggregated hotel capacity of 120 people, whereof 90 is allocated in large single cabins. The design includes a powerful battery package, crane and W2W gangway system plus the CSOV is also prepared for future fuels, as Vard mentions.
Polin Chen, CEO of DFO, says that “We are delighted to return to VARD for the construction of the third CSOV is in our series of high performing CSOVs for the Taiwanese market, continuing the strong teamwork and momentum together with the team in Vard Vung Tau.
“The vessel design has been developed to specifically address the many unique challenges operating offshore Taiwan, and it is humbling to see another customer place their trust in DFO to deliver long term O&M services, on a solution that we have developed together with VARD.
“This order marks the third O&M service contract for an CSOV that DFO has been awarded in Taiwan, continuing the DFO strategy of building ships against high quality contracts with long-term, forward-thinking customers, and cementing DFO’s place as the O&M service provider of choice within Taiwan.”
Cathrine Kristiseter Marti, CEO of Vard Group, says that “We are proud that DFO already chose to return to VARD for one more vessel of similar design to the two CSOVs VARD is constructing, and the OSCV contracted in April. This new contract truly shows VARD’s strength as an integrated shipbuilder, and the trust we have in the market regarding our ability to deliver on time and budget.”
