On Friday, a partially outfitted hull of a commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV), constructed for Bernhard Schulte Offshore under contract from Ulstein Verft, was towed out from the quay of CRIST S.A. in Gdynia.

Steel cutting for the hull took place in February last year at the CRIST yard. After one year of construction works, on Friday 28 February, the completed hull, yard number NB321, departed the shipyard. The vessel forms part of a series of CSOVs ordered by the German owner Bernhard Schulte Offshore from Ulstein Verft, with CRIST acting as a long-standing subcontracting partner responsible for hull construction.

The hull built in Gdynia measures 90 metres in length overall and 19 metres in beam. The vessel will be equipped with a centrally positioned motion-compensated gangway system for safe personnel transfer, as well as an offshore crane with a lifting capacity of up to 5 tonnes. Accommodation will comprise single cabins for 110 persons, with total capacity for 132 persons including marine crew and offshore technicians.

The unit is based on the SX222 platform developed by Ulstein Design & Solutions AS and has been tailored to the Owner’s specific requirements. It incorporates Ulstein’s patented Twin X-Stern configuration, featuring propulsion units installed both aft and forward. This arrangement enables the vessel to manoeuvre efficiently between offshore wind turbines without the need to turn, regardless of prevailing wave and wind direction.

The vessel is fitted with a hybrid battery propulsion system and is prepared for methanol fuel operation, significantly reducing emissions. Its distinctive hull form and propulsion concept enhance seakeeping performance while ensuring high operational efficiency and environmental performance in offshore wind farm support operations.

“The vessel’s unique Twin X-Stern design provides enhanced seakeeping capabilities, while the hybrid propulsion system makes it more environmentally sustainable,” explains Marek Lewczuk, Project Manager at CRIST S.A.

The hull, towed from the shipyard by the tugs Anteos and Fairplay-71, is the second unit of this type constructed at CRIST for this client and the fourth vessel in the series ordered by Ulstein Verft. The first vessel built for Bernhard Schulte Offshore is currently undergoing final outfitting in the dock at Ulstein Verft in Ulsteinvik, Norway, and was formally launched last week.

“The vessel is the result of our long-standing cooperation with Ulstein Verft. At present, we are constructing additional sister vessels for Ulstein — two further units of the same type and one cable-laying vessel. All three are scheduled for delivery this year,” adds Marek Lewczuk.