Cochin Shipyard orders another SMST gangway for North Star SOV

Cochin Shipyard Ltd. has awarded SMST a second contract for the delivery of a gangway, the Telescopic Access Bridge (TAB) L2,  with an Access and Cargo Tower (ACT) for North Star’s next newbuild Service Operation Vessel (SOV). The gangway for safe and efficient transfer of personnel is also outfitted with a 4t winch, enabling the ship to handle cargo without the need for an additional crane. The hybrid SOV of VARD 4 19 design will operate at the ScottishPower Renewables East Anglia THREE offshore wind farm, located off the coast of Suffolk, England. North Star has secured a long-term charter for the vessel, having signed a contract with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy.

This will be the fourth North Star vessel, two of which Cochin Shipyard is building, to which SMST will supply equipment. All four TABs for North Star are equipped with the SMST automation packages, offering easier, faster and safer connections by the automatic aligning and connecting of the gangway. “We are thankful for North Star’s continued trust in SMST, and we look forward to collaborating with both North Star and Cochin Shipyard on this project,” says Jochem Tuinstra, Sales Manager at SMST.

“We are delighted to collaborate once more with SMST. SMST's proven reliability and consistent performance make us confident in our renewed partnership,” according to Sanoob B, Business Development Manager at Cochin Shipyard Ltd., “As shipyard we always aim for the highest quality and we expect the same from our partners; SMST has shown to meet our quality standards.”

“As we expand our renewables fleet, we select the best equipment on the market,” says James Bradford, North Star’s Chief Technology Officer, “SMST has proven to be a reliable partner, offering high-end products with a focus on safety. Therefore, we chose to equip the gangways with the automation packages, to offer ultimate efficiency and safety for the offshore operations.” The eight North Star hybrid-electric SOV, bound for Siemens Gamesa, will enter into service by late 2026.