VARD Launches First Energy Construction Vessel for Hybrid Subsea and Wind Operations
According to reporting from Interesting Engineering, a new class of maritime vessel designed for both renewable energy and subsea infrastructure has hit the water in Vietnam. The 366-foot ship, developed by VARD for Wind Energy Construction AS, aims to bridge the gap between traditional oil and gas maintenance and the specialized needs of offshore wind farm development.
Context from Industry Pulse
The launch of this hybrid vessel highlights a shift in maritime engineering toward multi-purpose platforms that serve both legacy energy sectors and the green transition. While recent engineering milestones have focused on materials science, such as graphene-based solar cells or next-generation jet engine designs, the VARD project solves immediate logistical hurdles in offshore deployment. By integrating heave-compensated cranes and stabilized gangways, this vessel addresses the high-risk environments common in subsea inspections. Watch for how this specialized hardware integrates with emerging smart systems, similar to the high-speed data processing tools currently accelerating atomic-scale research, to further automate underwater maintenance cycles.
"The ship will also feature a three-dimensional, electrically controlled, motion-compensated walk-to-work gangway. The system keeps workers steady as they move between the ship and offshore structures."
A new energy construction vessel, designated NB985, has been launched at the Vard Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam. As Interesting Engineering reports, the 111.5-meter ship was designed by the Norwegian firm VARD for Wind Energy Construction AS, a company associated with green energy provider Norwind Offshore. The vessel is designed to operate across multiple sectors, including offshore wind power, subsea infrastructure installation, and underwater maintenance.
The project marks the introduction of a new vessel category specifically tailored for renewable energy and subsea operations. According to Interesting Engineering, the ship is built on VARD’s 3 11 design, which integrates tools for heavy lifting and worker transport. Construction progressed rapidly following a 2024 order, with the first steel cut in October 2025 and the official launch occurring roughly one year later.
Key technical specifications include a 150-ton heave-compensated subsea crane designed to stabilize lifting operations against the movement of the sea. The vessel also features a three-dimensional, electrically controlled gangway system that utilizes motion compensation to ensure safe movement for personnel between the ship and offshore structures. Interesting Engineering notes that the interior is designed to accommodate a total of 120 crew members and technical specialists.
Beyond supporting offshore wind farms, the vessel is capable of performing inspection, maintenance, and repair tasks for subsea pipelines. This versatility allows it to serve both the traditional oil and gas subsea markets and the expanding renewable energy sector. VARD is managing the entire scope of the project, covering everything from the initial hull construction to the final outfitting and commissioning phases.
While the vessel has successfully entered the water, it is not yet ready for commercial service. The next phase of development involves the final installation of equipment at the shipyard in Ho Chi Minh City. According to Interesting Engineering, the completed energy construction vessel is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2027.
The Industry Pulse Bottom Line
The move to a dedicated Energy Construction Vessel category signals that the offshore wind market has matured past modified oil-and-gas hardware. For contractors, success now hinges on purpose-built ships that minimize downtime during complex deep-water installations.