The first steel was cut this week at Damen Shipyards Galati for Bibby WaveMaster 1 , the first ever Damen Service Operations Vessel (SOV) ordered by Bibby Marine Services.
The two companies signed a contract for the vessel last month.
The new SOV with walk-to-work capability will be deployed in the North Sea to support forthcoming offshore wind construction and O&M projects.
Damen’s Senior Project Manager René Hooijman said: “The beginning of the physical construction process is a cause for celebration after years of planning and development. The SOV is the result of extensive consultation within the offshore wind industry that has led to the design of a completely new concept from the hull up.”
“Assembly of the hull will start in April and the launch of the vessel is planned for early next year,” Hooijman added.