Two new crew boats have been built in Singapore with the industry’s first hybrid propulsion for offshore support in the Gulf of Thailand
Truth Maritime Services (TMS) has added two 42-m vessels, with onboard energy storage systems, following their construction by Strategic Marine.
These Gen 4 fast crew boats (FCBs) can carry 100 passengers and cargo to oil and gas production and drilling facilities with reduced emissions due to the onboard batteries.
Their delivery to TMS is Strategic Marine’s foray into the fast-growing Thai crew boat market, where operators are seeking efficient, capable vessels.
TMS, a well established owner with a fleet of 13 crew boats, ordered this newbuild pair in 2023 to boost its capabilities in this growth sector. TMS also operates accommodation barges located near drilling rigs and platforms, minimising transfer times at sea.
Strategic Marine developed the 42-m Gen 4 FCB design in collaboration with Southerly Designs with an efficient hullform and Z-bow, which the shipbuilder said “improves seakeeping and requires less power for the same speed and deadweight tonnage, reducing fuel consumption and lowering emissions.”
Greenhouse gas emissions are low from the FCBs built for TMS as they have a energy storage system and hybrid propulsion, designed in collaboration with the client.
The hybrid solution uses batteries to capture and store energy generated by the main engines for various applications on the vessel, which has an optimised passenger layout allowing up to 100 offshore workers to be transported in business-class comfort.
The strengthened deck provides the option for a walk-to-work system to be installed, with a motion-compensated gangway which could be combined with a gyro-stabiliser, adding further stability for safe, smooth transfers even in adverse weather conditions.
“The first of our Gen 4 fast crew boats has entered the growing Thai market in the competitive southeast Asian market,” said Strategic Marine chief executive Chan Eng Yew.
Strategic Marine has built and delivered more than 600 vessels made of both aluminium and steel for clients in the maritime, offshore and defence sectors.
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