The vessel is still under construction and is scheduled for operations in 2016.

Siemens says the long-term charter deal represents a new approach to offshore wind service and maintenance, as it allows the German group to keep the vessel ready for fast mobilisation, thereby reducing the required lead time for projects.

“With efficient asset utilisation and synergies from shared logistics between offshore wind power projects, the new vessel will also reduce the levelised cost of energy (LCoE),” Siemens claimed.