An offshore subsea construction vessel (OSCV) that Norwegian shipbuilder VARD is building for Taiwan-based Dong Fang Offshore (DFO) has been launched in Romania and will now go to Norway for final outfitting.
The 121.3-meter-long vessel of VARD 3 39 design is said to be a highly versatile platform designed and equipped for subsea operation duties, offshore wind operations & maintenance (O&M) activities, as well as cable installation and repair scopes.
VARD announced that the launch of the vessel’s hull, marked as NB 988, was celebrated on August 21 at its shipyard in Brăila, Romania. The vessel will now travel to Vard Søviknes in Norway, where the final outfitting, commissioning, and delivery will take place. Delivery is scheduled for Q2 2027.
“The launching is a big milestone for VARD bringing together colleagues from both Romania and Norway. They have again demonstrated the strength of the VARD integrated value chain and the importance of working together as OneTeam,” VARD reported.
VARD cut the first steel for the vessel in September 2025, with the keel-laying ceremony following in November. This OSCV will have the capacity to accommodate up to 130 people.
The ship will be fitted with a 250 MT active heave compensated offshore crane, two deck/boat landing cranes, a 1,200 m2 work deck prepared for a cable repair or cable lay spread, and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) hangars prepared for built-in ROVs on both sides, and will be prepared for the installation of a motion compensated gangway, an under-deck carousel, a large trencher, as well as a helideck.
Brunvoll has been appointed to deliver an extensive propulsion and manoeuvring system .