Dogger Bank SOVs to Sport Uptime Gangways

Uptime International AS has been awarded three contracts from Vard Singapore for the supply of three walk-to-work systems for North Star Renewables’ service operation vessels (SOVs).

UPTIME’s scope of supply consists of three complete access systems for personnel and cargo, each consisting of a 30m autonomous gangway with artificial intelligence, mounted on elevator towers. One of the gangways will also have a motion-compensated 3D crane function included in the delivery. The project will commence immediately with a project duration of approximately 22 months in total.

The three SOVs will be built at VARD’s Vard Vung Tau shipyard in Vietnam.

All three vessels have been contracted by North Star Renewables to be used at the 3.6 GW Dogger Bank Wind Farm off the UK.

Dogger Bank is currently under construction by joint-venture partners Equinor, SSE Renewables, and Eni.

Sivert Skårn, General Director of VARD’s shipyard Vard Vung Tau, said: ”These three vessels are developed specifically to handle planned maintenance for the Dogger Bank Wind Farm. The Walk to Work system from UPTIME with its height-adjustable, motion-compensated, and autonomous gangway with corresponding elevator system being a key design element to ensure efficient and safe logistics. We look forward working together with UPTIME for these future-oriented vessels to North Star Renewables.”