Newbuild USV Challenger Getting Ready for Remote-Controlled Subsea Work
Ocean services provider DeepOcean, with its joint venture partners Solstad Offshore and Østensjø Rederi, has taken delivery of a newbuild uncrewed surface vessel (USV), which will be used for subsea survey, inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) work across offshore energy industries.The vessel - named USV Challenger - will shortly arrive at DeepOcean’s subsea base at Killingøy in Norway, where it will undergo trials of its launch and recovery system (LARS) for the onboard ROV.The USV Challenger is 24 meters long and 7.5 meters wide. It is equipped with a hybrid diesel-elect
Solstad Offshore’s CSV Gets Multi-Year Contract
Norwegian offshore vessel owner Solstad Offshore has been awarded a three-year contract with an international contractor for its construction support vessel (CSV) Normand Frontier.The firm contract has an immediate startup and will keep the Normand Frontier fully committed until end 2027, Solstad Offshore said.No additional details about the client or the value of the contract have been disclosed, except that the vessel will support the client’s operations worldwide.As part of the charter party, Solstad, together with Omega Subsea, will deliver two work class ROVs (WROVs) including manning
Solstad Offshore Bolsters Ownership Stake in Omega Subsea
Solstad Subsea, a wholly owned subsidiary of Solstad Offshore, has agreed to acquire a 35.8% shareholding in ROV and subsea services provider Omega Subsea for an undisclosed amount.Following completion of all transactions, Omega Subsea will own 100% of Omega Subsea Robotics.Shareholders of Omega Subsea will be Omega (60%), Solstad Subsea (35.8%) and key employees of Omega Subsea (4.2%).The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions including approval from the Norwegian Competition Authority, satisfactory due diligence and final transaction documentation. Completion of the transaction is
Floating Wind and the Taming of Subsea Spaghetti
is undergoing final certification before its first planned installation at the Marine Energy Test Centre (METCentre) 10 kilometers off the southwestern coast of Karmøy, Norway. Installation is planned to be carried out by Windstaller Alliance, an alliance between Aker Solutions, DeepOcean and Solstad Offshore.The system itself was developed following the proven success of similar technologies in large installation projects, Aker Solutions’ experience in subsea power solutions for subsea gas compression and more recently for floating offshore wind like Equinor’s Hywind Tampen.While having
Solstad’s Normand Navigator Boards ROVs Ahead of New Job
Solstad Offshore’s Normand Navigator subsea vessel has arrived to Norway for the mobilization of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) ahead of its new assignment.The mobilization of ROV’s from Omega Subsea Robotics is currently ongoing at Husøy (Karmøy) in Norway.The mobilization follows the completion of factory acceptance tests (FATs) a week earlier by Solstad’s supplier Kystdesign, with Omega Subsea and Solstad Services.After the mobilization, set for completion by the end of June 2024, Normand Navigator’s new project, which include survey services in addition to
Subsea Vessel Market is Full Steam Ahead
scopes.As we head into a stage of the cycle where vessel shortages could very well soon be reality, we see these newbuilds as a natural development. Other traditional owners have opted for the rearrangement of existing assets, with high corporate activity in recent weeks. Following the battle for Solstad Offshore between Aker and Kistefos, Siem Offshore announced the split of assets between the company founder and remaining shareholders.Kristian Siem will exit the company he founded with nine vessels in exchange for 35% of the outstanding shares, which include three AHTS, four PSVs, and two subsea constructio
Solstad Scoops $7M for Two AHTS Vessels
Norwegian vessel owner Solstad Offshore has sold two anchor handling tug supply (AHTS) vessels, securing a profit of approximately $7.1 million for the transaction.The AHTS vessels, Far Sound and Far Scimitar, have been in layup in Asia since 2016 and 2018.Fars Sound is a 2007-built AHTS, with the length of 78.1 meters and of UT 712 L design.Far Scimitar is of the same design, with 78.3 length. It was built in 2008.The sale was made through Solstad Reder, a wholly owned subsidiary of Solstad Maritime Holding.Delivery of the vessels to the new owner took place on February 23, 2024.
Aker Solutions to Pilot Subsea Power Distribution System for Floating Wind
Collector is a 66kV wet mate connection system provided by Benestad and subsea switchgear with supervisory control and data acquisition by subsea power and automation alliance partner, ABB.Installation will be carried out by Windstaller Alliance, an alliance between Aker Solutions, DeepOcean and Solstad Offshore. Aker Solutions will also provide the static export cable to shore.“Combining Aker Solutions’ vast subsea experience with our partner’s proven control and connection systems, we aim to solve challenges currently facing the offshore wind sector. We hope this project will result
DeepOcean Charters Innovative Unmanned Surface Vessel for Subsea Inspection, Survey Work
provider DeepOcean will charter a newbuild unmanned surface vessel (USV) for subsea inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) and survey work in the offshore renewables and oil and gas industries. DeepOcean is chartering the vessel from USV AS – a joint venture company established by Solstad Offshore, Østensjø and DeepOcean whose main purpose is to invest in and own USVs.“The USV can be a game-changer for subsea inspection and intervention work, offering substantial reductions in operating expenditure and emissions. We are delighted to add the USV to our fleet of chartered
August 2025
