Fincantieri: Vard signs contract with Dong Fang Offshore for one new Commissioning Service Operation Vessel

Fincantieri announces that its subsidiary VARD, one of the world’s leading designers and shipbuilders of specialized vessels, has signed a new contract with Dong Fang Offshore (DFO), a leading provider of offshore support vessels in the Asia-Pacific region, for the design and construction of one Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV). The value of the order is approximately between 66 million to 75 million euros.

The agreement further strengthens the strategic partnership between the two companies and marks the fifth vessel VARD will build for DFO. Following the two Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOV) contracted in 2024 and the additional two – one of them an Offshore Subsea Construction vessel, ordered in 2025, the contract confirms VARD's position as a trusted partner supporting the growing offshore wind, subsea and power cable markets.

Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fincantieri, commented: “This new contract further strengthens our long-standing relationship with Dong Fang Offshore and confirms VARD's ability to deliver highly specialized vessels tailored to the evolving needs of offshore operators. We remain committed to supporting our customers with technologically advanced and increasingly sustainable solutions. This order further reinforces Fincantieri's leadership in specialized shipbuilding, leveraging innovation, engineering expertise and industrial excellence to meet the evolving requirements of a rapidly changing global market”.

The vessel will be based on the VARD 4 39 design, specifically tailored to DFO’s requirements, and will provide a highly versatile platform for subsea operations, offshore wind installation and maintenance, and cable installation and repair scopes in the offshore wind and power cable sectors. Designed with flexibility to meet future operational requirements, the vessel combines an optimized hull form and powerful propulsion configuration for excellent seakeeping and station-keeping performance, with a battery-hybrid setup supporting improved workability, operational reliability and reduced environmental impact.

Approximately 102.5 meters long and 19.5 meters wide, the vessel will feature a 32-meter walk-to-work system, a 3D motion-compensated crane and a 700-square-meter work deck prepared for cable-lay and repair operations. It will also be equipped for ROV launch and recovery and prepared for the integration of a helideck, while an option for a 70-tonne active heave compensated offshore crane will further support subsea operations. The vessel will accommodate up to 120 people in 90 cabins and will feature integrated power, automation and bridge systems, including SeaQ Green Pilot and SeaQ Bridge.

The vessel will be built, outfitted, tested and delivered at Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam, with delivery scheduled for Q3 2028.