Vard, the Norwegian subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group and one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialized vessels, has signed a new contract for one Service Operation Vessel (SOV) with Taiwan-based shipping company Dong Fang Offshore (DFO), with a construction budget of $76 million to $86 million.
The two parties have previously collaborated on multiple occasions. In May 2024, DFO ordered two SOVs from Vard, scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027, respectively. In April 2025, they signed a contract for one Offshore Construction Vessel (OCV)—with an option for a second—planned for delivery in the second quarter of 2027. Subsequently, in May 2025, they signed another contract for the design and construction of a Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), scheduled for delivery in 2028.
DFO stated that the newly ordered vessel is broadly similar to its operations and maintenance (O&M) service vessels, though its design differs from the three SOV/CSOV vessels mentioned earlier. While those three vessels are dedicated to long-term service for domestic offshore wind projects in Taiwan, this new vessel is being built to secure capacity for potential international projects.
Currently, DFO is expanding into overseas markets, and its vessel, the “Orient Adventurer,” is operating in Europe under a long-term charter agreement with DeepOcean. In 2025, the company will also partner with Australia’s GO Offshore to develop offshore wind power and oil and gas vessel operations in the Asia-Pacific region.
On September 16, DFO took delivery of the “Orient Inspirer,” built by Vard Vung Tau, two months ahead of the original delivery schedule. The vessel is expected to arrive in Taiwan by the end of this month and will begin a 12-year operation and maintenance contract on November 1. DFO signed this charter agreement with Vestas in 2024 to service the Changfang-Xidao and Zhongneng wind farm projects.