Shanghai – September 08, 2026 -- Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (ZPMC) has launched the Wind of Ocean, its first service operation vessel (SOV), built for French shipping group LD Armateurs (LDA) in a first-time partnership between the two companies.
Vessel specs target North Sea offshore wind maintenance
The SOV measures 90 meters in length, 19.6 meters in beam and 7.3 meters in depth, and can house up to 96 people. It offers more than 30 days of endurance without resupply, allowing unrestricted operation in North Sea conditions.
Hybrid propulsion and motion-compensated systems enable safe personnel transfer
The vessel runs on a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system with lithium batteries and is equipped with a Dynamic Positioning Class 2 (DP2) system, a 3D motion-compensated crane and a wave-compensated gangway. These systems allow personnel and equipment transfers even in high sea states, supporting the vessel's design as a low-emission "floating hotel" for offshore crews.
Second sister vessel already reaches keel-laying stage
The order covers two SOVs; the second unit has already completed keel-laying. Following the launch of the Wind of Ocean, ZPMC will proceed with equipment installation and onboard systems commissioning.
Vessels bound for DanTysk and Sandbank wind farms in Germany
Once completed, both SOVs will be deployed to the DanTysk and Sandbank offshore wind farms in Germany's North Sea, providing long-term operations and maintenance support, including equipment servicing and spare parts replacement, over the farms' operational lifecycles.