Offshore wind service vessel provider Windward Offshore has signed the first charter contracts for its two purpose-built CSOVs, Windward Athens and Windward Paris.

Through a partnership with the UK’s largest shipowner and operator, North Star, Windward Offshore will support RWE’s offshore wind operations and maintenance activities in the United Kingdom and Germany.

The Windward Athens will commence service in winter 2025 on RWE’s German offshore wind farms, located north of the island of Helgoland, while the Windward Paris is scheduled to begin operations in summer 2026 at the Triton Knoll offshore wind farm off the British coast.

Built at VARD’s shipyards in Romania and Norway, the vessels are equipped with ultra-low-emission technologies, battery hybrid systems, and smart automation to reduce environmental impact.

Each vessel is fitted with an Ampelmann walk-to-work gangway, a seven-tonne motion-compensated 3D crane and accommodation for up to 120 people.

“Following the award of two long-term CSOV charters with RWE for the Grampian Eagle and the Grampian Kestrel, we’re pleased to be working with Windward Offshore, who will provide two vessels to front-run operations until our ships are available by the end of 2026,” said Gitte Gard Talmo, CEO at North Star.