Damen Shipyards Group has launched the second of two commissioning service operation vessels (CSOV) 9020 being built for Ta San Shang Marine Co., Ltd. (TSSM) — a joint venture between Japan’s Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Taiwan’s Ta Tong Marine Co., Ltd.

The vessel, which will be named TSS Challenger upon delivery in early 2027, is being constructed at Damen’s yard in Ha Long, Vietnam. It will join a sister vessel, TSS Cruiser — also built by Damen — in TSSM’s fleet. Both vessels are intended to support construction and maintenance activities at offshore wind farms in Taiwanese waters.

According to Damen, the CSOV 9020 is prepared for future operation on methanol, including green methanol. The shipbuilder also notes that the vessel’s optimised hull contributes to lower fuel consumption. Combined with a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion arrangement, this is said to result in a reduction in emissions compared with conventional configurations.

Thomas Röwekamp, Regional Sales Director Asia-Pacific at Damen, said: “We are pleased to have reached this latest milestone in the construction of these two vessels for TSSM. The CSOV 9020 draws on years of experience in the European offshore wind industry. The capabilities of the vessel have been tailored and fine-tuned to support the rapid development of the Asian market. As such, these vessels are well positioned to support TSSM — and its clients — in developing a sustainable regional energy sector in the coming years.”