Swedish owner brings zero-emissions CTV to market

A leading owner of crew transfer vessels is to introduce a new class of vessel with hybrid propulsion system that will enable it to operate without creating CO₂ emissions.

Northern Offshore Services said its E-class vessels would be the largest in its fleet and would be significantly more fuel-efficient than earlier classes of CTV.

The vessels will be fitted with a quartet of MTU 8MTU V200M72 engines but will also have batteries fitted that can be charged from shore or when offshore, in a windfarm.

Designed to carry 24 passengers in ultra-comfortable suspension seats, the E-class will also provide offshore accommodation for windfarm technicians.

The new CTVs are of inhouse design and “will combine high energy efficiency and fuel saving without compromising performance and power,” the company said. This includes using large diameter propellers that will operate at slower speed than conventional vessels to ensure a particularly high level of propulsion efficiency resulting in lower fuel consumption during transit and a higher bollard ‘push’ during docking.

Of particular interest is the hybrid green power concept with batteries. A growing number of commercial vessels are using shore power to reduce emissions but Northern Offshore Services’ new vessel will be the first CTVs prepared for battery charging while in a windfarm.

The innovative E-class will have four main modes of propulsion, including ECO-mode, when the CTV will be operated on a diesel genset at low speed with support from the batteries.

“This mode of operation will result in large fuel savings and a reduction in emissions when the CTV is in standby mode, between docking operations,” the company said. The vessel is also able to operate in pure battery mode, without any CO₂ emissions, when operations allow.

Northern Offshore Services’ chief executive David Kristensson said, “The future is green and the E-class is our first step towards a fully electrified CTV fleet.

“We believe that electrification is a central part of the future of safe and environmentally friendly CTVs and we will continue to improve and develop our services. We are confident that the E-class will be a great contribution to our fleet today and further strengthen our position in the CTV market.”

The first E-class vessel, Energizer, is due to be delivered to the company at the end of 2020.