ATLANTA, GEORGIA (Chad Archey, Energy Analytics Institute, 23.Apr.2025) — North Star has become the first organization in the world to have ships achieve Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) cyber resilience classification, in line with mandatory International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) standards implemented for all newbuilds from 1 Jul. 2024.
The organization’s new commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs), the Grampian Kestrel and Grampian Eagle, have set a new industry benchmark for cyber protection at sea.
The Grampian Kestrel is bound for EnBW in May 2025 to commence front-running operations at Germany’s He Dreiht wind farm, while the Grampian Eagle is also preparing for a contract in Jul. 2025.
These vessels now give North Star — a service operation vessel (SOV) operator in Europe’s offshore wind sector — a competitive edge with operationally available ships that meet the most up-to-date classification requirements for cyber-secure operations, the UK company announced on 23 Apr. 2025 in an official statement.
This certification strengthens the vessel’s ability to withstand cyberattacks, continue operating under threat, and recover quickly from incidents, ensuring the protection of personnel and onboard systems, while maintaining critical offshore operations, North Star said.
These CSOVs are the first in the world to be formally approved by LR to the LR Rules implementing IACS standards UR E26 (‘Cyber Resilience of Ships’) and UR E27 (‘Cyber Resilience of On-Board Systems and Equipment’). Of the VARD 4 22, designed and built at Vard Langsten shipyard in Norway, they represent North Star’s first CSOV additions to its growing renewables fleet in its ambition to add 40 SOVs by 2040.
A fully integrated shipbuilder and vessel operator, North Star has made a substantial investment in the advanced automation and digital solutions utilized across its renewables fleet, essential for monitoring performance and ensuring safe vessel operations.
As part of the cyber resilience certification process, all mission-critical systems were rigorously assessed on the CSOVs against LR’s cyber resilience classification criteria. This included technologies such as dynamic positioning software and the complex control systems connected to the Voith Schneider propulsion units, all designed to support operational safety and enhance crew wellbeing.
The vessels also feature Starlink communications systems to improve onboard connectivity, North Star said.
____________________
By Chad Archey reporting from Atlanta. © 2025 Energy Analytics Institute (EAI). All Rights Reserved.
