Crowley Maritime to build new service operations vehicle (Courtesy of the Jacksonville Business Journal) — Crowley Maritime has partnered with Denmark-based maritime company ESVAGT to jointly build and operate a service operations vessel under a long-term charter with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy to expand efforts in the U.S. clean wind energy market.
The new vessel will be 289 feet long will accommodate 80 crew and technicians and include technologies to support operations on the Dominion Energy Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project. It’s expected to enter service in 2026.
“This means jobs,” said Jeff Andreini, VP of Crowley Wind Services. “That’s the most important thing.”
Crowley will manage and crew the SOV while ESVAGT supports in the design, construction, crew training and operation services within the joint venture, CREST Wind, which was created in 2021 to combine European designs and operating practices with safety and operational expertise of Crowley.
“This first contract in the U.S. is a landmark event for ESVAGT in our quest to help drive the green transition as a global leader of SOV services,” said Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer Soren Karas of ESVAGT. “We are excited to bring our decades of offshore wind experience to bear in a new market through our CREST JV with the premier Jones Act operator, Crowley. Together, we can offer an unparalleled solution to the wind industry and are delighted that Siemens Gamesa have recognized this.”
Dominion Energy plans to construct 176 14.7 MW Siemens Gamesa wind turbines and three offshore substations, generating enough energy to power up to 660,000 homes.