US offshore windfarm development a boost to American shipyards

Offshore windfarm development in the US has begun to pay off in the form of new orders for American shipyards, most recently with contracts signed for the construction of a quartet of Incat Crowther-designed crew transfer vessels (CTVs).

In May, Windea CTV LLC, a US operator of CTVs, announced it had begun constructing three 30 m hybrid-ready CTVs. Two of these CTVs are being built at St Johns Shipyard in Palatka, Florida and third at Gulf Craft in Franklin, Louisiana. All of these US-flag CTVs will be built to BV class and certified to USCG Subchapter L.

The CTVs are scheduled to be delivered in 2023 and will immediately enter service on behalf of GE Renewable Energy. The vessels will first operate out of New Bedford, Massachusetts during construction of the Vineyard Wind I offshore windfarm.

Windea CTV managing partner Bradley Neuberth said: “In collaboration with our operating partner Hornblower we are pleased to be working with Incat Crowther and the shipyards to construct the first vessels for our CTV fleet in the US. These CTVs are the first wave of vessels in our fleet.”

Windea CTV is part of the Windea Offshore USA consortium. In addition to CTVs, the consortium plans to offer solutions for service operations vessels, feeder vessels, rock installation vessels, onshore terminal operations and other services required to build and maintain offshore windfarms.

“These CTVs are the first wave of vessels in our fleet”

The Windea CTV fleet is owned and operated by MidOcean Wind LLC and Hornblower Wind (part of the Hornblower Group), with technical and operational support from Windea Offshore shareholder Ems Maritime Offshore, which operates a fleet of CTVs in the European market.

Each CTV will have quad Volvo IPS propulsion units driven by four Volvo D13 main engines. Additionally, the vessels are designed as ‘hybrid-ready’. This will allow the owner the option to convert the CTV to battery-hybrid power. The design has dedicated voids for batteries, reserved cabling space and battery-removal hatches for easier integration of battery-hybrid propulsion.

Elsewhere, a fourth Incat Crowther-designed CTV has been chartered by Vineyard Wind from Patriot Offshore Maritime Services (POMS).

POMS has signed a contract to build the 27 m, catamaran-hulled vessel at Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Somerset, Massachusetts. Set for delivery in mid-2023, the CTV will have the capacity to carry 24 technicians and personnel. It will be deployed directly into construction, transporting essential personnel and equipment in support of the project. Vineyard also has the option to charter additional CTVs from POMS as part of its marine logistic strategy.

In addition to the Patriot vessel, Vineyard Wind has also signed a contract with American Offshore Services for a second CTV that will be built by Blount Boats, Warren, Rhode Island.

With the latest contracts signed and placed to build CTVs, there are firm orders for at least 15 offshore windfarm vessels at US shipyards, including one SOV, one WTIV, one subsea rock installation vessel and 12 CTVs. Another three US-flag CTVs are in operation.