Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Ta Tong Marine (TSS) announced that their joint venture, Ta San Shang Marine Co. Ltd. (TSSM), has signed a deal for the construction of a new service operation vessel (SOV) with the Damen Group. This contract, finalized on June 27, marks the third SOV in TSSM’s fleet, continuing their expansion in Asia’s offshore wind sector.
This upcoming SOV follows the TSS Pioneer, delivered in 2022 as the first newly built SOV in Asia, and the TSS Cruiser, ordered last November and scheduled for delivery at the end of 2025. Like its predecessors, this third vessel will be Taiwan-flagged and constructed at Damen’s shipyard in Vietnam, with delivery expected by the end of 2026.
A standout feature of this new SOV is its methanol-ready design, reflecting TSSM’s commitment to future-proofing their fleet with sustainable fuel options. This vessel will play a critical role in Taiwan’s burgeoning offshore wind industry, transferring personnel and supplies to wind farms set to commence operation in the late 2020s. The experience gained from operating the TSS Pioneer will be invaluable in ensuring the efficient and safe operation of this new addition.
Masayuki Sugiyama, MOL’s Executive Officer responsible for the Wind Power Unit, expressed his confidence in the new SOV, stating, “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 highlighted the strategic importance of the fleet expansion, saying, “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 contributing more in the field of clean energy, playing our part in achieving the goal of Net Zero carbon emissions, ultimately making the planet inhabitable for future generations.”
Damen Shipyards CEO Arnout Damen underscored the solid partnership with TSSM, noting, “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.”
The specifications of the new SOV include a length of 82.7 meters, a breadth of 19.7 meters, and a planned draft of 5.3 meters. It will feature a dynamic positioning system (DPS), a motion-compensated gangway, and a crane, with a maximum capacity of 120 personnel. The vessel’s Taiwanese flag symbolizes TSSM’s commitment to the local market and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
