Edda Wind, the offshore wind division of Norway’s Østensjø Group has signed long-term charter agreements with MHI Vestas and Ocean Breeze Energy respectively for two of the four offshore wind vessels it has on order at Spanish yards Astilleros Balenciaga and Astilleros Gondan
The vessels are due to be delivered with technology that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will be ready for the installation of zero emissions hydrogen technology.
The charter agreement with MHI Vestas for a newbuild service operation vessel (SOV) will commence in Q2 2022 and has a firm period of 15 years.
The charter agreement with Ocean Breeze for a commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) will commence in Q1 2021 and has a firm period of 11 years. The contract will be serviced by a front-runner vessel for the first year before the newbuild CSOV is delivered in Q1 2022.
The CSOV for Ocean Breeze is 88.3 m in length and the SOV for MHI Vestas is 82.4 m long. They will have high standard accommodation and common areas. The CSOV can accommodate up to 120 people and the SOV 60.
MHI Vestas chief operations officer Flemming Ougaard said, “When MHI Vestas was assessing suppliers for our new SOVs, Edda Wind stood out for many reasons, one of which was their emphasis on decarbonising their next-generation vessels. We are pleased their new technology will enable us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our fleet. The potential for operating the vessels using zero-emissions hydrogen is very exciting.”
Ocean Breeze Energy chief executive officer Jean Huby said, “We are constantly improving our logistics set-up to address the challenges of far-offshore operations.
“Following an extensive market screening using the know-how we have accumulated over almost 10 years of operations we are very pleased to enter a long-term partnership with Edda Wind for an environmentally sustainable vessel tailored to our needs.”
Edda Wind earlier signed a construction contract for two CSOVs at Astilleros Gondan and a construction contract for two SOVs at Astilleros Balenciaga. The second SOV and the second CSOV will be delivered in Q4 2022. Edda Wind has also secured slots at the yard to construct more sister vessels. All of the vessels will be operated by Østensjø Rederi.
The newbuilds will have battery hybrid propulsion which, together with other energy saving equipment, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly. The generators onboard are IMO Tier III certified.
Together with partners, Østensjø Rederi is developing new technology based on hydrogen as a safe and efficient energy source. The newbuilds will be prepared for installation of this technology, which will turn the vessels into zero emissions vessels without compromising operational capabilities.
Østensjø Rederi chief executive Kenneth Walland said, “We believe the new Edda Wind vessels will be the first zero emissions vessels in the market.
“Taking delivery of four vessels prepared for zero emissions technology will enable the company to engage several major players in the development phase of hydrogen infrastructure and facilitate technology development for hydrogen systems.”
The company said preparations for the future zero emissions propulsion systems are made possible by funding from Enova. The upgrades include complete tank systems for hydrogen storage, a dedicated machinery space for fuel cells, battery hybrid systems, novel propulsors and an extensive package of energy saving measures for most auxiliary systems such as HVAC and pumps systems.
Enova head of transport Astrid Lilliestråle said, “In order to achieve zero emissions in offshore operations there is a need for new solutions to reduce energy consumption and utilise alternative fuels. These vessels will contribute in both respects. The technologies developed will also be transferrable to other segments of the shipping industry.”
The newbuilds are being designed by Salt Ship Design, Norway in close co-operation with Østensjø Rederi.
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