RWE and North Star Seal a Multi-Million-Pound Agreement for Our Website's Ships
RWE, a leading renewable energy company, has entered into a long-term partnership with North Star for the charter of four hybrid-powered commissioning/service operation vessels (C/SOVs) to support RWE’s expanding offshore wind portfolio in Europe.
The partnership, worth a multi-million-pound deal, includes two firm long-term charters for next-generation SOVs named Grampian Eagle and Grampian Kestrel. These vessels, designed to operate on alternative low-emission fuels, are planned to be operational from 2028 and 2029 respectively.
The Grampian Eagle, specifically, will support maintenance activities at the Triton Knoll offshore wind farm off the British coast with a minimum charter period of 12 years. The Grampian Kestrel, on the other hand, will support RWE’s German projects for a minimum of ten years, located north of Heligoland Island.
In addition to these two vessels, RWE has signed reservation agreements for two newbuild hybrid SOVs to be delivered by the Norwegian shipbuilder Vard Group in 2028 and 2029. These vessels will support future offshore wind projects, including in Germany.
North Star will deliver the full marine services as part of the charter agreements. Each CSOV will include a motion-compensated gangway with an elevator, a boat landing system, and accommodation for up to 120 personnel. The vessels will provide accommodation for service technicians and can stay at the wind farms for multiple days, improving safe and efficient access to turbines even in rough seas.
This collaboration is described as the first and largest vessel commitment in the offshore wind sector to date, underpinning up to 200 jobs, including 100 new roles in fleet operations over the next decade.
Thomas Michel, COO of RWE, stated that this long-term partnership is a strategic step by securing next-generation service operations vessels in a tight market. The partnership secures vessel capacity in a tight market and strengthens RWE’s capabilities in maintaining their offshore wind farms efficiently and with reduced emissions.
Until the North Star vessels are available, two ships (Windward Athens and Windward Paris) will be supplied by Windward Offshore until the end of 2026. The new SOVs, about 87.5 meters long, battery hybrid-equipped with methanol operation readiness, will create up to 100 new roles on- and offshore.
Notably, the North Star CSOVs are the first vessels to receive a Cyber Resilience Classification. This collaboration is a significant step towards a more sustainable future for offshore wind energy, providing efficient, low-emission solutions for RWE’s growing portfolio of offshore wind farms.
References: 1. RWE and North Star announce long-term partnership for next-generation Service Operation Vessels 2. RWE and North Star to charter four hybrid-powered CSOVs for offshore wind farm fleet 3. RWE and North Star announce long-term partnership for next-generation Service Operation Vessels 4. RWE and North Star announce long-term partnership for next-generation Service Operation Vessels 5. RWE and North Star announce long-term partnership for next-generation Service Operation Vessels
- The partnership between RWE and North Star, worth a multi-million-pound deal, is notably the first and largest vessel commitment in the offshore wind sector to date, reinforcing the finance industry's commitment to the renewable-energy market.
- The Grampian Eagle, one of the two firm long-term chartered next-generation Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs), will operate in RWE's business ventures, specifically supporting maintenance activities at the Triton Knoll offshore wind farm, furthering the adoption of renewable-energy in the market.
- By chartering four hybrid-powered CSOVs and investing in newbuild hybrid SOVs from the Norwegian shipbuilder Vard Group, RWE is strengthening its business operations in the renewable-energy industry while reducing emissions and promoting efficient energy solutions in the market.
