NOV introduces the Modular Service and Operations Vessel concept

09-02-2023 Member news, Offshore Wind

NOV introduces the Modular Service and Operations Vessel concept

An integrated SOV design that offers capabilities beyond those available today

As wind farms move farther offshore and in deeper waters, robust operations and maintenance strategies are required. Support vessels must be able to operate safely, effectively, and longer in increasingly challenging environments.

The Modular Service and Operations Vessel (MSOV) is a novel and versatile concept to optimize offshore wind farm operations and maintenance.

The MSOV concept is a collaboration across NOV’s Marine and Construction business unit. To introduce the concept, an MSOV design was developed based on GustoMSC’s Enhydra MSOV design. Our vessel design offers an extensive and flexible deck layout to integrate mission equipment from our Lifting and Handling group and Remacut to maximize capability, workability and endurance.

At 140 m in length, the Enhydra MSOV’s larger design allows for additional capabilities by integrating additional modular equipment, increased comfort, and capabilities beyond current construction/service operations vessels. Featuring Remacutâ„¢ cable-lay equipment, this versatile workhorse is designed for cable repair and change-out, subsea inspection and intervention, and mooring installation for floating wind farms.


The Enhydra series design characteristics resemble the sea otter’s (Enhydra) unique and physical behavioral features. The sea otter is the sole marine mammal to use tools and it uses its streamlined body design to efficiently perform deep dives to the seafloor and adapt its lung capacity to float effectively on the surface.

With the Enhydra series, we are delivering the next evolution of offshore wind support vessels. The Enhydra MSOV will allow wind operators to use the modular capabilities to manage even unplanned operations. The increased workability and versatility of the Enhydra MSOV will provide a cost-effective year-round working platform covering the life cycle of the wind farm.