French shipowner Bourbon has struck a deal to market and operate Norwegian start-up Integrated Wind Solution (IWS)’s new wind farm vessels.

The offshore vessel specialist has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Oslo-based IWS, which has four Skywalker-class ships due in the second and third quarters of 2023 and the first half of 2024.

The Bourbon Offshore Surf unit will manage the ships as they carry out commissioning and maintenance work in France.