ZPMC Launches First SOV for LD Armateurs | Mariner News

Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (ZPMC) has launched the Wind of Ocean, its first Service Operation Vessel (SOV) built for French shipping group LD Armateurs (LDA). This milestone marks a significant step for ZPMC into Europe’s high-end offshore wind market and signals a new phase for the vessel as it proceeds to key equipment installation and onboard systems commissioning.

The 90-meter SOV represents the first collaboration between ZPMC and LDA, establishing a new build source for specialized European offshore wind assets. Designed for unrestricted service in the challenging North Sea, the Wind of Ocean features a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system incorporating lithium batteries, alongside a Dynamic Positioning Class 2 (DP2) system. This advanced configuration aims to deliver lower environmental impact while ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and crew comfort.

Equipped with a 3D motion-compensated crane and a wave-compensated gangway, the vessel is engineered to facilitate safe personnel and equipment transfers even in high sea states. Its design as a “floating hotel” accommodates up to 96 people with an endurance exceeding 30 days without resupply, underscoring the demand for prolonged, self-sufficient operations in offshore wind farm maintenance.

Upon completion, the Wind of Ocean and its sister vessel, which has already reached the keel-laying stage, will be deployed for long-term operations at the DanTysk and Sandbank offshore wind farms in Germany’s North Sea. This commitment to long-term chartering in a mature offshore wind region highlights stable employment for these specialized vessels.