TRANSPORTATION
Offshore supply vessels pivot between oil and wind
Hybrid fleets support deepwater drilling and offshore renewables.
CSV Normand Mermaid. Photo by Solstad.
Offshore supply vessels (OSVs) are shifting roles. Once tied almost entirely to oil and gas, they’re now being designed, ordered, and retrofitted to serve both hydrocarbons and renewables. In 2025, hybrid systems and new contracts are reshaping the fleet.
Petrobras orders 12 new OSVs. In December 2024, Petrobras signed a $2.8 billion agreement for 12 new offshore supply vessels. The contract includes local construction, supporting Brazil’s shipyards and fleet renewal.
OceanPact delivers ROV support fleet. In 2025, OceanPact secured contracts to deliver four ROV support vessels to Petrobras. These ships will handle subsea inspection and maintenance, expanding Brazil’s offshore service capacity.
Solstad CSV starts seismic contract. In 2025, Solstad Maritime confirmed its construction support vessel began a new contract with SAExploration, supporting offshore seismic surveys.
Olympic retrofits CSOV for oil and gas. In 2025, Olympic announced it would retrofit its CSOV Olympic Notos, originally designed for offshore wind, for oil and gas platform work.
Hybrid designs set the tone. Industry reports in 2025 highlight a new generation of OSVs with diesel-electric propulsion, batteries, and readiness for green fuels, positioning the fleet for dual-market service.
That’s not all: analysts say OSVs are entering a new phase, balancing high day-rates from oil majors with steady offshore wind demand. Hybrid designs and retrofits keep fleets relevant across both markets.
—TFI
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