Harvey Gulf bets on batteries, electrifying eight more OSVs

Once completed, the Louisiana-based OSV owner will be one of the largest owners and operators of offshore vessels with onboard energy storage.

Adding energy storage systems is expected to improve overall vessel fuel consumption, while lowering CO₂ and greenhouse gas emissions. HGIM chief executive Shane Guidry said: “This fleet of vessels will be crucial in assisting our clients’ efforts to achieve net carbon zero, and we will continue to listen to them and invest in technology that will assist with their goals.” Mr Guidry said the battery systems would be installed on HGIM’s largest PSVs and one of its newest multi-purpose support vessels (MPSVs).

The announcement by HGIM comes on the heels of the completion of sea trials of Harvey Energy, a tri-fuel PSV that can operate on diesel, LNG, and electric battery power. An energy storage system is also being installed on Harvey Champion, making it dual fuelled. Based on a Vard 1 301 design, Harvey Champion has an overall length of 89 m, beam of 19.5 m, design draught of 6.1 m, with a cargo deck area of 940 m².

HGIM will install four systems on its four remaining LNG-fuelled PSVs without battery systems, Harvey America, Harvey Liberty, Harvey Power and Harvey Freedom, converting them to ‘tri-fuel’ vessels like Harvey Energy. Two ESS will be installed on the MPSV Harvey Subsea, making it the only MPSV in the US that is dual fuel and with electric battery power. With an overall length of 103.7 m, beam of 22.3 m and maximum draught of 7.47 m, the diesel-electric Harvey Subsea is dynamic positioning class 2 capable, with a 250-tonne capacity offshore crane, helideck, remotely operated vehicle hangar and control room and accommodation for 87. Propulsion is supplied by four Wärtsilä 6L32 diesel generators that drive two Schottel SRP 630 azimuthing, nozzled, fixed-pitch propellers with variable frequency drive motors. The MPSV also has three Schottel STT5 fixed-pitch bow thrusters with variable frequency drive motors.

Four batteries will be installed on three of HGIM’s 300 class and 310 class PSVs, Harvey Supporter, Harvey Hawk and Harvey Condor, with two systems being installed on one of those vessels.

Among the pioneers in environmentally friendly propulsion in the OSV sector, HGIM built Harvey Energy, the first offshore vessel in the US to use LNG as a fuel.