Offshore support vessels (OSVs) could be retrofitted with batteries to augment propulsion and cut fuel consumption and emissions
Columbia Group member CSM Energy has joined forces with Hydrus Engineering to upgrade OSVs with hybrid propulsion as vessel operators seek solutions to reduce their environmental footprint. They intend to make vessels involved in offshore installations and operations greener and less costly to maintain and operate.
CSM Energy technical director Kyriakos Tsangaris said retrofitting existing vessels will be far quicker and much more cost-effective than building greener OSVs. “Building new vessels with a substantial or even an all-green profile will be much more expensive and take several years before they are ready for service,” said Mr Tsangaris.
Hydrus Engineering partner Lambros Nakos said OSVs built for decades of service could be rejuvenated through green investment. “The current orderbook for new OSVs has declined since 2016, with fewer than 50 vessels ordered since the beginning of 2020,” he said.
“Given that OSVs already in operation will likely run for another 25 years, retrofitting them is the best option for ensuring vessels are eco-friendly,” Mr Nakos added.
This co-operation will initially focus on vessels involved in offshore renewables, but could also be implemented on OSVs working in the oil and gas sector.
This co-operation comes after the OSV market has struggled in recent years due to the oversupply of vessels and declining demand. However, CSM Energy expects demand for OSVs to grow as investment is ramped up in the offshore wind market.
CSM Energy and Hydrus stated the offshore wind sector was worth US$65Bn compared with the offshore oil and gas sector, which is valued at $45Bn.
Mr Nakos said stakeholders involved in offshore renewables are ready to reduce emissions from OSVs. “In several cases, OSV market growth is closely related to the environmental profile of the vessels deployed for such services, especially for the offshore windfarm projects, where the need for green vessels operating on alternative fuels is solidified,” said Mr Nakos.
CSM Energy and Hydrus intend to provide bespoke services for upgrading the green profile of existing OSVs including a feasibility assessment, prefinancing evaluation, budgeting and procurement control, engineering, retrofitting, supervision and commissioning.
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