Bernhard Schulte Offshore (BSO) has won GE Renewable Energy’s tender to provide a new-build Service Operation Vessel (SOV) to support the maintenance of the 66 Haliade 150-6MW turbines located 28 miles from Germany’s Borkum Island. The total capacity of 396MW will produce enough power for almost half a million homes. BSO’s winning bid showcased the Schulte Group as a strong partner with a track-record in the operation of SOVs in several wind farms and included a proven vessel design build by the Ulstein yard which is known for high quality and on-time delivery. The Ulstein SX195 design type was modified to fulfil the GE Renewable Energy tender requirements and the ship owner’s special choices of mission equipment. It has a large, centrally positioned walk to work motion compensated gangway & elevator tower for personnel and cargo transfers. There is also a 3D compensated crane capable of 2-ton cargo lifts. The optimised on-board logistics include large storage capacities of which half are under a roof in a controlled environment, and a stepless approach to the offshore installations. The vessel is equipped with a fuel-efficient drive system including battery-solution. As with the two vessels ordered before, it will have the X-STERN hull shape. A vessel featuring the X-STERN can be positioned with the stern faced towards the weather, leading to improved weather resistance, greater operability and reduced power and fuel consumption while on DP compared to conventional sterns. The vessel will be 93.4m long and 18m wide and can accommodate up to 120 persons. The ship is flexible and attractive for work within areas such as maintenance or construction support, especially in challenging weather and sea conditions. The delivery from the yard is planned for the beginning of 2020.