Dong Fang Offshore Orders New Vessel from Vard

Dong Fang Offshore (DFO), a Taiwanese offshore vessel owner, has approved the construction of a new service operations and maintenance support vessel from Norwegian shipbuilder Vard. The decision to proceed with this newbuild comes after DFO recently took delivery of its first newbuild, the Orient Inspirer, two months ahead of schedule.

Details of the New Vessel Order

The new vessel order, valued at up to $86 million, will be built by Vard Group or one of its affiliates, including Vard Singapore. The construction price is capped between $76 million and $86 million, reflecting DFO’s commitment to maintaining a budgeted expenditure while expanding its fleet.

According to Splash247, the new vessel will be similar in type to an operations and maintenance support vessel (SOV) but will have a different design from DFO's first three SOVs. This change is intended to meet the specific requirements of potential international projects, as noted by Adis Ajdin on Splash247.

Delivery and Operations

The Orient Inspirer, previously known as newbuild NB 987, was delivered from Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam two months ahead of schedule. The vessel is expected to arrive in Taiwan by the end of September and will be reflagged under the Taiwanese registry before commencing a 12-year operations and maintenance contract with Vestas on November 1.

Based on the VARD 4 39 design, the purpose-built SOV is designed for long-term operation and maintenance (O&M) of offshore wind farms in Taiwan. DFO stated that the early delivery provides additional time for crew familiarization, operational procedure drills, and coordination with the client to ensure a smooth transition into service.

The newbuild order comes as part of DFO’s ongoing expansion program at Vard. In September 2026, DFO also took delivery of the Orient Inspirer from Vard Vung Tau, which is expected to enter service in November with Vestas for offshore wind farm operations. The company's board has previously approved a third Vard-built CSOV scheduled for delivery in 2028.

The new vessel will complement DFO’s existing fleet, which includes three SOVs and one subsea construction vessel (OSCV). All vessels are currently backed by operating contracts, ensuring that the new build will be deployed strategically to meet future international project needs. According to Offshore Engineer, the remaining vessels under DFO's existing newbuilding program are also expected to progressively enter service following delivery.

Strategic Expansion into International Markets

Dong Fang has been increasingly pushing beyond its home market. The company’s Orient Adventurer is currently working under a multi-year charter with DeepOcean in Europe, and it recently partnered with Australia's GO Offshore to pursue offshore wind and oil and gas vessel work across Asia-Pacific.

The newbuild order further solidifies DFO’s commitment to expanding into international markets. The additional capacity will enable the company to bid on and support potential projects outside of its home region, leveraging its experience in operations and maintenance within Taiwan's energy sector.

What this means for operators

The new vessel order from Vard represents a significant step for Dong Fang Offshore as it aims to diversify its fleet and enhance its global presence. For other ship operators, the decision underscores the growing demand for flexible and specialized support vessels in international offshore energy markets. This trend suggests an opportunity for operators to adapt their existing fleets or seek newbuilds to meet emerging market demands.

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