Tidal Transit kicks off E-CTV retrofit

The initiative benefits from £6.3M (US$8.0M) in funding from the Zero Emissions Vessel and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition, which opened in February 2023 as part of Innovate UK and the Department of Transport’s strategic plan to develop, deploy and operate clean maritime solutions.

Over the next 15 months, Tidal Transit will retrofit a diesel-powered CTV, Ginny Louise, with more than 2 MWh of battery capacity, electric motors and propulsion pods. The finished product, ‘e-Ginny,’ will not only be 100% zero emissions in operation, but also boast increased manoeuvrability while being near-silent in operation.

As existing shoreside charging capabilities are limited, the project will expand vessel charging infrastructure by installing an onshore charging station from Artemis Technologies and an offshore wind turbine based-charger from MJR Power & Automation to allow for direct E-CTV charging on location, greatly increasing the time and range that electric vessels can stay in operation without returning to port.  

The e-Ginny project is being undertaken in partnership with Goodchild Marine Services, Artemis Technologies and MJR Power & Automation. Key equipment suppliers also include Volvo Penta, Danfoss and the battery system is from Corvus Energy. Upon completion, the E-CTV will start work on a UK windfarm for three years.

Tidal Transit commercial director Leo Hambro said, “This project is a significant step forward in propelling the offshore transport industry into a new zero-carbon era. We are delighted to be working locally with our project partner Goodchild Marine and alongside our other design and engineering partners.”