National Oilwell Varco to Kit Out Japanese Mega Jack-Up

Japan’s Shimizu Corporation has awarded National Oilwell Varco (NOV) with a contract to provide equipment package and design for a newbuild offshore wind farm installation vessel.

NOV, through its subsidiary GustoMSC, has worked with Shimizu on the customized jack-up design which has a total tonnage of 28,000t and is capable of accommodating 130 people.

The vessel will also incorporate a proprietary 2500t telescopic leg crane designed specifically for the offshore wind market to provide a combination of high elevation hoisting capability for turbine installation and heavy load capability for foundation installation. Japan Marine United shipyard will carry out the construction of the unit.

“National Oilwell Varco continues to innovate new and more efficient ways to bring wind energy to the offshore,” said Clay Williams, National Oilwell Varco’s Chairman and CEO.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Shimizu and JMU to develop the largest purpose-built wind turbine installation vessel ever constructed. NOV is proud to be the leading supplier of offshore wind power installation equipment at work around the globe and will continue to tailor solutions that meet the evolving needs of this growing market.”

Delivery of this vessel, which will be the largest of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, is expected in late 2022.