The first X-STERN™ is currently being mounted on the first of two newbuilds to serve the offshore wind service industry. The vessels will be operated by Windea Offshore.
Yno 309 and 310 are scheduled for delivery from Ulstein Verft in 2016 and 2017. In addition to being the first vessels from Ulstein Verft in the offshore wind service segment, they are also the first so far with an X-STERN™. Ulstein Group has four people following up the production on-site at the Crist hull yard in Poland.
“The work progress is steady” , said site manager Magnar Kvamme , continuing: “The hull can be expected to arrive at Ulstein Verft in Ulsteinvik, Norway, in the second half of December.”
The X-STERN™ has several of the same characteristics as the X-BOW®. It leads to reduced pitch and wave drift forces, as well as eliminating slamming. Positive effects are reduced power and fuel consumption while on DP, and there will be no green sea on deck due to the stern shape and enclosed nature of the aft deck.
The vessel will be shipped to Ulstein Verft, Norway, in end December.
Ulstein Verft signed the shipbuilding contract in Q1 2015 with the Germany-based Bernhard Schulte. The final detailed arrangements and equipment for the vessels have been developed and specified in cooperation with WINDEA Offshore GmbH & Co. KG, which is the Bernhard Schulte’s affiliate for offshore wind projects.