Kongsberg Maritime has won a contract to design and equip four IWS Fleet CSOVs for offshore wind work. The commissioning service operation vessels will bring the Skywalker Class series to ten ships.
Nantong Rainbow Offshore & Engineering Equipment will build the vessels using the UT 5519 DEx design. The first delivery is expected in 2029. IWS Fleet is a subsidiary of Integrated Wind Solutions.
Each ship will provide accommodation for up to 120 people and serve as a walk-to-work platform. Technicians will be able to stay aboard during lengthy offshore assignments covering wind farm commissioning, operations and maintenance.
The contract announced on 13 October 2026 covers propulsion, electrical power equipment and deck machinery. Kongsberg Maritime will also provide navigation and bridge systems and dynamic positioning, with responsibility for integrating the onboard systems.
Two rim-drive azimuth thrusters will be fitted at the bow and another two at the stern. This symmetrical propulsion arrangement supports the double-ended vessel design and allows the ships to manoeuvre from one wind turbine to another.
The thrusters will use permanent magnet motors and work with Kongsberg Maritime‘s dynamic positioning system to hold the vessels in position during offshore tasks.
The UT 5519 DEx incorporates experience from operating the six Skywalker Class vessels delivered since 2023. The updated design includes refinements intended to improve vessel performance and operating efficiency.
