VARD has launched the energy construction vessel (ECV) it is building for Norway's Wind Energy Construction, a company partly owned by the founders and owners of Norwind Offshore, one year after the start of construction.
The steel-cutting ceremony was held on October 6, 2025, at the Vard Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam, kicking off the construction of the vessel, which Norwind Offshore ordered in 2024.
The companies then noted that the ECV was a whole new vessel category, developed jointly by them.
VARD launched the vessel, marked as NB985, on October 27 in Vietnam.
VARD via LinkedIn
VARD via LinkedIn
Based on the VARD 3 11 design, the 111.5-meter-long ECV is tailor-made for the offshore wind and subsea markets, supporting operations such as inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) of subsea pipelines, as well as the construction and installation of offshore infrastructure.
It will be equipped with a 3D electric-controlled motion-compensated walk-to-work (W2W) gangway, a 150-ton heave-compensated subsea crane, and accommodation for up to 120 people.
Delivery is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.
VARD is delivering the complete package through an integrated value chain for the vessel, from design and hull to construction, outfitting, and commissioning.