GE Renewable Energy will use a newly-built service operation vessel (SOV) to support O&M work at the 396MW Merkur offshore wind farm in German waters.

The vessel has been ordered by vessel operator Bernhard Schulte’s WINDEA offshore wind unit from shipbuilder Ulstein.

The SOV will be designed to GE Renewable Energy’s specifications, said a statement, including a large, centrally positioned walk-to-work motion compensated gangway and elevator tower for personnel and cargo transfers.