Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Ta Tong Marine Co., Ltd. (TSSM) have signed a contract with Damen Shipyards in The Netherlands to build a new service operating vessel (SOV).
The vessel will be delivered in Vietnam at the end of 2025 as TSSM’s second Taiwan-flagged SOV, following Asia’s first, the TSS Pioneer, which was delivered in 2022.
According to MOL, the new CSOV, which is methanol-ready as a future fuel, will support offshore wind farms in Taiwan and will provide comfortable accommodations at sea for personnel from windfarm developers, wind turbine manufacturers, construction companies, and so on.
The secure movement of workers and supplies from the vessel to the offshore wind farm will reportedly help Taiwan’s offshore wind power sector grow.
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Masayuki Sugiyama, MOL Executive Officer responsible for Wind Power Project Unit, said: “In addition to the TSS Pioneer, this new CSOV operation will solidify TSSM’s position as an SOV player in Taiwan. Also, we would like to use this project as a stepping stone for MOL’s SOV business development in the Asian region, including Japan.”
Hrong Nain Lin, TSSM Chairman, added: “With our experience in operating Asia’s first dedicated offshore wind SOV, we’re now prepared to offer more for the Green Energy Industry.
“This Damen CSOV will be a valuable new force to support Taiwan offshore wind developments and other future projects in Asia Pacific region. We, as always, will continue to provide safe working environment and a comfortable home at sea for technicians and marine crew.”
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Damen Shipyards, CEO Arnout Damen, stated: “We are very honoured to welcome TSSM into the Damen family. We are also very happy that after reviewing the options, TSSM has opted for the proven Damen CSOV9020 design.
“We are confident that this new vessel will make a significant contribution to the development of the Taiwanese offshore wind sector and beyond. We look forward to a very fruitful and long relationship with TSSM.”
