Aberdeen-based North Star, a prominent offshore infrastructure service provider, has successfully completed the acquisition of four Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) from Norwegian firm Edda Wind.
This strategic transaction elevates North Star‘s offshore wind fleet to a total of 14 vessels, positioning it among Europe’s largest and establishing it as the world’s leading integrated SOV owner-operator by both fleet size and charter backlog.
The newly acquired vessels – named Goelo Enabler, Boreas Enabler, Nordri Enabler, and Sudri Enabler – are high-specification units already under contract within the offshore wind sector. Their immediate integration into North Star’s operations is expected to enhance the company’s capacity and flexibility in serving clients across key European markets.
Service Operation Vessels are purpose-built ships vital for the installation, maintenance, and operation of offshore wind farms. They function as floating bases, providing accommodation, workshops, and storage for technicians, and are equipped with advanced dynamic positioning (DP) systems to maintain stability near wind turbines. This enables personnel transfer and operations even in challenging weather conditions, significantly improving productivity and uptime compared to traditional Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs).
Gitte Gard Talmo, Chief Executive of North Star, commented on the significance of the acquisition, stating: “Finalising this four-vessel transaction marks another step forward for North Star in offshore wind. Bringing these SOVs into our fleet broadens our customer offering, strengthens our platform and reinforces our presence in key European markets. It also underlines our leadership in the region’s SOV sector and provides a strong foundation for the next phase of expansion across the business.”
“I am proud of our team, who have worked tirelessly to complete the necessary due diligence and ship inspections, and I am very pleased to welcome many new colleagues to North Star as part of this exciting expansion.”
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North Star, founded in 1886, operates the largest UK-owned fleet supporting the offshore industry, with a historical focus on Emergency Response and Rescue Vessels (ERRVs) in the North Sea. The company was acquired by Partners Group, a global private markets firm, in 2022, a move that has underpinned its expansion into the offshore wind sector.
This latest expansion, which includes 160 offshore roles continuing to support the vessels, is expected to contribute to North Star’s projected run-rate EBITDA of approximately £100 million, representing a more than threefold increase in four years, largely driven by its growing SOV fleet.
Edda Wind, based in Norway, specialises in providing purpose-built SOVs and Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOVs) to the global offshore wind market, having been established in 2015. The divestment of these four vessels to North Star is part of broader market activity within the offshore wind support sector.
