Ta San Shang Marine Signs a Deal for Construction of 3rd SOV to Serve Offshore Wind Farm in Taiwan

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Ta Tong Marine (TSS) today announced their joint venture Ta San Shang Marine Co. Ltd. (TSSM) signed a deal for the construction of a new service operation vessel (SOV) with the Damen Group of the Netherlands on June 27. This is the third newbuilding SOV to TSSM, following the TSS Pioneer, the first newly built SOV in Asia (delivered in 2022), and the TSS Cruiser, which was ordered last November and is scheduled for delivery at the end of 2025.

This third vessel, also a Taiwan-flagged SOV, is designed to be methanol-ready as a future fuel, just like its sister ship, the TSS Cruiser. It will also be built at the Damen shipyard in Vietnam and is slated for delivery at the end of 2026. This newly built SOV is to serve offshore wind farms in Taiwan, which are scheduled to be constructed and start operation in the late 2020s. The vessel will safely transfer personnel and supplies to the offshore wind farm, by leveraging the experience gained through the operation of the TSS Pioneer, and contribute to the development of Taiwan's offshore wind business by offering comfortable accommodations for wind farm technicians.

MOL Executive Officer Masayuki Sugiyama, responsible for Wind Power Unit said, "We are pleased to have placed an order for TSSM's third SOV. We are confident that the SOV will not only make TSSM the dominant SOV player in Taiwan, but will also serve as a stepping stone for the development of MOL's SOV business in Asia, including Japan."

TSSM Chairman Hrong-Nain Lin added, "We are excited to further expand our fleet with the purchase of another Damen CSOV9020. Through the expansion of our offshore fleet, we can offer an efficient tool in helping to accelerate wind farm constructions., We eagerly anticipate to contribute more in the field of clean energy, to play our part in achieving the goal of Net Zero carbon emissions, ultimately to make the planet inhabitable for future generations."

Damen Shipyards CEO Arnout Damen said, "We are grateful and highly value that TSSM has selected Damen once more as the builder of the newest SOV in their fleet. Last year, we welcomed TSSM into the Damen-family with the CSOV9020 "TSS Cruiser" and since then we have further strengthened and intensified our relationship. We expect that with the two new CSOV9020, TSSM will further strengthen its position in the Taiwanese and Asia-Pacific offshore wind market – with the full support from our side. We look forward to a continued, fruitful, and long relationship with TSSM."

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