About Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt

A joint venture between Schoeller Holdings and Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt (German Offshore Shipping) will be entering the offshore energy market with four construction commissioning service operation vessels (C-CSOVs). Cyprus-based Schoeller Holdings has ordered four ships from CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a member of the China State Shipbuilding Group, for delivery beginning in early 2027.

Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt was launched a year ago and is acting as commercial manager for the four ordered special-purpose vessels. The company is positioning itself as an important player in the rapidly growing energy market. The Hamburg based company sees its core task in the development of special offshore ships and the commercial operation of these technically sophisticated vessels tailored to the energy market.

C-CSOV – A versatile vessel for offshore energy market

C-CSOV – a very versatile vessel for the Offshore Energy Market

The C-CSOV represents a major innovation in the offshore shipping market. While the CSOV designs of today’s fleet are tailored to deployment exclusively on offshore wind turbines, the C-CSOV stands out thanks to its ability to be used in a much broader range of applications.

This new type of ship will have an enlarged and fully modular working deck, providing over 850 square metres of unobstructed multipurpose space. When used in conjunction with a 50-tonne AHC crane featuring integrated 3D motion compensation, the vessels will be able to perform not only conventional Offshore Wind tasks but also cable repairs, IMR and light construction work both above and below water. The fully integrated offshore gangway system will provide access to platforms between 12 and 30 metres above the waterline. A spacious lift will allow technicians and the necessary material to be transported to the offshore facilities quickly and without steps. A 12.4-tonne helicopter deck will satisfy the offshore industry’s requirements for these kinds of special-purpose vessels. The ship has also been designed for the use of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

Compared to other CSOVs in the current fleet, Deutsche Offshore’s C-CSOV stands out in particular due to its ability to be equipped with modular cable repair spreads. The mobilisation of such equipment in combination with the available crane capacity and the ROV makes it possible to offer repairs to critical cable infrastructure in the shortest possible time.

Sustainability

Particular emphasis has been placed on sustainable and economical operation, with the result that the ships are extremely energy efficient. Optimised hydrodynamics in conjunction with an energy-efficient configuration of the propulsion and energy system will reduce fuel consumption, thus emissions, significantly.

Particularly worthy of mention in this case are the 1,000 kWh battery pack and the shore power connection. Shifting away from on-board hydraulics, together with the electrification of large equipment, as well as the use of recuperation and heat recovery will lower the energy requirements and the environmental footprint of the ships.

Furthermore, the special-purpose vessels will eventually be able to operate in a climate-neutral manner. Designing the vessel, the future retrofitting to operate on methanol as an alternative fuel was considered to a much higher degree than the class notation requires. For example, the dedicated tanks and pipelines have already been fully integrated into the vessel. In addition, the energy system was designed to enable the ship to be operated entirely on electricity in the future.

Superior Comfort on Board

Large, well-equipped living and leisure facilities – including a 165 square metre gym, entertainment rooms, spacious lounges and a weather-protected outdoor recreation balcony – will provide the technical offshore personnel with a pleasant environment during their stay on board.

Noise levels and ship vibrations on board have been dramatically reduced. As a result, the vessels has been assigned a class notation of COMF (C2, V2), whose requirements are going to be exceeded in many areas of the ship.

News

Hamburg, 9 March 2026

Partnership sealed: MOL invests in Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt

German-Cypriot-Japanese joint venture to develop innovative offshore vessels in the future to become a relevant operator in the global energy market
Schoeller Holdings Ltd. and MOL agreed on partnership in the order of C-CSOV special vessels
Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt to become operator of the C-CSOV fleet

The Japanese Mitsui O.S.K. (MOL), one of the largest shipping companies in the world, is acquiring a stake in the Hamburg-based company Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt (DO), a joint venture with Schoeller Holdings Ltd. In addition, MOL is acquiring shares in the C-CSOV (Construction Commissioning Service Operation Vessels) currently under construction. The vessels will be marketed in the international offshore energy markets, with Deutsche Offshore acting as operator.

MOL is a globally experienced player with established capacities and strategic partnerships in the offshore energy industry. Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt will now gain access to this network. Together, the two companies aim to combine their respective expertise and thereby establish a strong platform for the offshore energy market. The joint strategy also includes developing further independent projects using this platform.

As part of the investment, DO enables MOL to leverage on the know-how of the offshore specialist founded two years ago. This includes both the integrative capabilities of Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt as developer of the innovative C-CSOV vessels as well as the expertise for the subsequent operation of these special vessels.

Four C-CSOV vessels were ordered by Schoeller Holdings, the joint venture partner of Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt. The C-CSOV vessels are characterized by maximum flexibility in deployment. They expand the use case of the conventional ship type CSOV and thus open up new perspectives for more efficient construction and operation of offshore energy infrastructure. Columbia Shipmanagement, which, like the heavy-lift shipping company “AAL,” belongs to Schoeller Holdings, will provide technical management.

The global energy market is characterized by high demand for support vessels. Europe has taken a leading role in this market and requires many technically sophisticated vessels to support offshore construction projects that have already been approved. Attractive offshore wind markets are also currently emerging in the Asia-Pacific region, and worldwide even traditional operators of offshore energy production facilities see the need for innovative vessels for commissioning, maintenance, and decommissioning.

Hamburg / Guangzhou, 5 March 2026

Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt begins construction of innovative C CSOV fleet

Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt (DO) has reached a significant milestone: today, the first steel was cut for the “DO Joule” at the CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China. The vessel is the lead ship of a new generation of Construction Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (C CSOVs) ordered by Schoeller Holdings. The four sister vessels will be built to identical specifications.

The steel-cutting ceremony was initiated jointly by Johannes Wolters, Managing Director of DO, and Rangel Vassilev, Director Newbuilding and Special Projects at Columbia Shipmanagement. Columbia Shipmanagement will assume technical management of the fleet, while DO will act as developer, operator, and commercial manager. Delivery of the 96.25 meter-long and 20 meter-wide vessels is scheduled to begin in May 2027, with each subsequent vessel handed over at three month intervals.

Designed by the renowned Norwegian design house Salt Ship Design, this vessel class is tailored for maximum versatility across the offshore energy sector. Its modular concept enables a broad range of above and below water operations throughout the entire project lifecycle—from construction and commissioning to ongoing operations and maintenance.

Technically, the C CSOVs set new standards. A gangway with the industry’s largest operational envelope enables horizontal access to platforms at heights between 12 and 30 meters above the waterline. The vessels are further equipped with outstanding DP capabilities, a highly precise HiPAP hydroacoustic positioning system, and a 12.4 ton helicopter deck for worldwide offshore deployment.

With a low freeboard and modular railings, the vessels are optimized for installation, maintenance, and repair work, including the deployment of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). They also feature a removable daughter craft system. The enlarged and fully modular working deck offers 800 square meters of unobstructed deck space. The main crane can be reconfigured within 48 hours — between a 50 ton active heave compensated setup and a 10 ton 3D motion compensated mode—enabling a wide operational range and creating synergies with high-end installation and construction vessels.

Accommodations onboard provide a modern and comfortable environment for up to 95 technicians. Hospitality services will be delivered by Columbia Signature, bringing extensive expertise from managing hotel operations on international cruise fleets.

With the steel-cutting of the “DO Joule,” Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt sends a strong signal for the expansion of modern, efficient, and versatile offshore service capabilities — and positions itself as a provider of innovative specialty vessels for the growing offshore energy sector.

Contact

Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt
Projektierungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG
Cremon 1, D-20457 Hamburg
Germany

Tel: +49 40-65046835 | +49 176-81078748 | +49 173-2337481
info@deutscheoffshore.com