Windcat Offshore has placed a contract for the construction of a series of hydrogen-powered commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) based on a design from Damen Shipyards
The ‘Elevation Series’ CSOVs were designed by Damen Shipyards in cooperation with Windcat and CMB.TECH. The result is what the companies describe as “a revolutionary new design with increased capabilities and flexibility compared to existing vessels.”
The vessels are 87 m long with a breadth of 20 m with accommodation for 120 people. They will be powered by hydrogen.
The first vessel in the series is due to be delivered in 2025. They will be built at Ha Long Shipyard, Vietnam, and will be delivered to Windcat Offshore, a new business unit within Windcat, which will focus on offshore energy commissioning and services. Initially, two vessels have been ordered with options for further vessels.
To significantly reduce the vessels’ environmental footprint, Windcat and CMB.TECH will use the same dual fuel hydrogen technology in the Elevation series already used on Hydrocat, the world’s first hydrogen-powered crew transfer vessel (CTV).
Windcat co-founder and managing director Robbert van Rijk said, “After 20 years of developing our CTV business, four years ago we started to lay the foundations for the creation of a ground-breaking CSOV design.”
CMB chief executive Alexander Saverys said, “We are very proud that less than two years after the integration of Windcat into the CMB family, we are able to take a significant step, investing in these state-of-the-art CSOVs and leverage CMB.TECH’s hydrogen know-how.”
The Elevation series will be equipped with the latest gangway, crane, thruster and hybrid battery technology and will also have an offshore charging capability.
Windcat Offshore managing director Stepehen Bolton said, “The Elevation series is an industry-leading design, a real game changer. A design that will lead the sector in exploring hydrogen as a fuel while delivering best-in-class performance and flexibility. Only with the combined team of Windcat, CMB.TECH and Damen would this have been possible.
“Together we have addressed the needs of the CSOV sector and started to answer the greater maritime industry’s challenge: how to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
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