LD Tide, a joint venture between Louis Dreyfus Armateurs and its partner Tidal Transit, has signed a contract with GE Renewable Energy for two crew transfer vessels (CTVs) for the Saint-Nazaire offshore windfarm
French shipyard OCEA has been selected to build the vessels, which will be based on an innovative design from naval architect Mauric.
The CTVs will sail under the French flag and will be used to transfer up to 24 windfarm technicians to the windfarm. The windfarm technicians will service the 80 GE Haliade 150-6MW turbines to be used on the project.
Construction of the CTVs will start in 2021 with commissioning scheduled for 2022.
Louis Dreyfus Armateurs deputy chief executive Kamil Beffa said the contract is in line with the company’s expansion into marine renewable energy.
Tidal Transit commercial director Leo Hambro said, “We are delighted to have created a new company in France with Louis Dreyfus Armateurs. We are very happy to take part in this large-scale project in France, with a renowned local partner such as Louis Dreyfus Armateurs.
“We are delighted to bring our experience in the operation and delivery of innovative access solutions. Mauric’s design will provide additional efficiency gains that are yet to be seen in the market and we look forward to introducing it to the whole industry.”
Mauric sales and development director Fabrice Ghozlan said the CTVs will use what he described as a “T-foil and hybrid pack.”
The vessels will be 26.70 m in length with a breadth of 9.40 m and draft of 1.80 m. They will have a crew of three, service speed of in excess of 25 knots and cargo capacity of 10 tonnes. They will be meet IMO Tier III requirements and be of a hybrid design with batteries and will be ‘hydrogen ready.’
The CTVs will have a semi-swath hull shape for enhanced seakeeping and will be able to transfer technicians in a significant wave height of Hs 2 m. The vessels will be of aluminium construction and will also be fitted with a shore power connection.
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.