Dong Fang Offshore Orders New Subsea Construction Vessel from Vard

Taiwanese offshore vessel owner and operator Dong Fang Offshore (DFO), a subsidiary of Hung Hua Construction, has placed a new order with Vard, the Norwegian shipbuilder controlled by Fincantieri, for at least one subsea construction vessel.

Valued at €113.5 million (approximately $126 million), the firm order is scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2027. DFO has also secured options for additional newbuilds, signaling its continued expansion in the offshore sector. This marks the third collaboration between DFO and Vard, following two commissioning service operations vessels ordered in May last year.

Designed for a wide range of offshore tasks, the 121.3-meter-long vessel will be equipped for subsea operations, offshore wind support and maintenance, as well as cable installation and repair in both the offshore wind and telecommunications industries.

Key features of the vessel include a 250-tonne active heave compensated offshore crane, a 1,200-square-meter work deck prepped for cable laying and repair operations, and ROV hangars on both port and starboard sides to accommodate built-in remotely operated vehicles. The vessel will also be preconfigured for the future installation of a motion-compensated gangway, under-deck carousel, large trencher, and a helideck.

The hull will be constructed at Vard Shipyards Romania – Braila, with outfitting, commissioning, and final delivery taking place at Vard Søviknes in Norway.