Vard has launched the hull of a new offshore subsea construction vessel being built for Taiwanese offshore company Dong Fang Offshore. The vessel, designated NB 988, was launched at Vard’s shipyard in Brăila, Romania. Following the launch, the hull will be transferred to Vard Søviknes in Norway, where the vessel will undergo final outfitting, commissioning and preparation for delivery.
The vessel is based on the Vard 3 39 design and has a length of 121.3 metres. It is designed to support a range of offshore operations, including subsea construction, offshore wind maintenance, cable installation and cable repair. The vessel will accommodate up to 130 people, allowing it to support offshore campaigns involving large technical teams and specialist personnel.
Construction began in 2025, with the first steel cut in September 2025, followed by keel laying in November. Delivery to Dong Fang Offshore is scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.
