The hull of the first of two service operation vessels being built for the offshore wind industry arrived at Ulstein Verft shipyard, Ulsteinvik, in the morning hours of January 3.

Under construction for German-based ship manager Bernhard Schulte Offshore, the first X-STERN hull made its journey from Poland to Norway.

A vessel featuring the X-STERN can be positioned with the stern faced towards the weather instead of the bow, leading to improved weather resistance, greater operability and reduced power and fuel consumption while on DP mode, according to Ulstein.

During the next months the hull will be outfitted and will receive final coating.

The service operation vessel is scheduled to undergo sea trials in late spring, following which it will start working at the Gemini wind farm in the Netherlands for Siemens Wind Power Service.

Featuring a length of 88 meters and a breadth of 18 meters, the vessel can reach a maximum speed of 13.5 knots and accommodate 60 people.