The Kleven Shipyard in Norway, now known as Green Yard
Kleven, received its first significant new build order since the shipyard was
acquired out of bankruptcy in July 2020. The yard will be building an advanced
construction service vessel (CSV) for REM Offshore as REM's first vessel to
service offshore wind fields.
The vessel, which was designed by Havyard Design &
Solutions and based on Havyard’s CSV platform. According to the companies, work
has already been proceeding with the planning and drawings for the new ship so
that construction can commence immediately. They expect to deliver the ship in
the fourth quarter of 2021.
Havyard Design reported that the designs have been adapted
with a strong focus on safe walkway operations and energy-efficient operation
for low emissions. Also, the vessel is being prepared to meet future demands
for zero emissions, both in the form of possibilities of expanding the current
battery pack, which will supply 12,000 kWh, and the future installation of fuel
cells says Lars Conradi Andersen, sales director at Havyard Design &
Solutions.
The vessel, which will measure 295 feet in length, will
feature a large cargo deck and storage for spare parts and containers under the
deck. It will also be fitted with three cranes and be able to accommodate 99
people.
The project is seen as an important milestone for the
shipyard and Green Yard in its strategy to expand into construction. Green
Yard, a Norwegian company focused on ship recycling, modifications, and lay-ups
for ships and rigs, announced in mid-July that it has reached an agreement with
the bankruptcy authorities, banks, and creditors to acquire Kleven.
Kleven, a specialized shipbuilder, built ships for the
offshore sector, but had sought to become more involved with cruise ships after
the downturn in the offshore segment. There were several attempts at
refinancing including an investment from Hurtigruten. In January 2020,
Hurtigruten agreed to sell Kleven to the DIV Group, a large Croatian industrial
company that includes ownership of the Brodosplit shipyard in Croatia, but in
July 2002 Kleven filed for bankruptcy.
“The project fits perfectly into Green Yard Group's strategy
of being the greenest alternative in the industry, and we are pleased that we
are now starting to also deliver green new buildings,” says Hans Jørgen Fedog,
CEO of Green Yard Group. “We think it is particularly impressive that this new
building will contribute to a new green offshore wind market.”
The contract is also an important project for the local
maritime industry. Hard hit by the downturn in the offshore sector and
struggling through the pandemic in 2020, the construction project will provide
jobs at the yard and for subcontractors and Green Yard believes it will have a
“ripple effect in a demanding time,” for the yard and the industry.