The tanker Island Explorer, built by VARD for Island Offshore, has arrived in Norway to begin its final completion and outfitting stages. This tanker is the second vessel constructed by this company for Island Offshore, with plans for its delivery scheduled for the first quarter of 2027.
Details of the tanker construction project
The order for the construction of the tanker Island Evolution was placed with VARD in May 2024, which included the design and construction of the first hybrid tanker. There was also an option for the construction of two additional tankers. The order for the second tanker, Island Explorer, was registered three months later.
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The construction operations for these tankers, including keel laying, were carried out for Island Evolution in May 2025 and for Island Explorer in September 2025. The tanker Island Evolution, known by the number NB 977, arrived at the VARD Langsten yard in Norway on July 29.
Features of the new tankers
The tanker Island Explorer, known by the number NB 978, is the 41st tanker that VARD has built for Island Offshore. This tanker set sail from the VARD yard in Romania to VARD Langsten in Norway in mid-September and arrived in Norway on October 18.
With the tanker’s arrival in Norway, the final outfitting and commissioning stages will begin. These tankers feature a VARD 3 25 design and have a length of 120 meters. They will be capable of performing underwater operations including inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR), pipelaying, construction and installation of underwater infrastructure, and diving support.
The OECV tankers are equipped with an underwater crane with a capacity of 250 tons and have DP2 capability, accommodating up to 120 people.
