Defining subsea support vessels of the future

Rem Offshore has ordered first-of-its-kind net-zero energy subsea construction vessels after focusing on electrification and methanol for future newbuilds.

The Norwegian owner has 21 vessels, including four under construction, operating in offshore renewables, subsea and seismic survey markets.

Of the four newbuilds on order, two are designed with 250-tonne cranes for the subsea market, one is set to become a windfarm construction and support vessel, and another has yet to be assigned a market role.

Rem Offshore head of strategy, mergers and acquisitions, Fredrik Remøy said the two subsea support vessels will be able to operate in both oil and gas and renewables sectors supporting trenching, cable installations, inspection, maintenance and repair work and light subsea construction.

The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in May 2026, the second in September 2026 and the third in May 2027, he said at Riviera’s Offshore Support Journal Subsea Conference, held in London, UK, on 3 February.

The subsea support vessels will each have three battery packages on board and technology to regenerate electricity from cranes, ROV launch and recovery systems and from waste heat recovery systems. These vessels will also have aftertreatment modules for reducing emissions.

Rem Offshore could be the first owner to power vessels with green methanol, when this is available, Mr Remøy explained. These newbuild subsea vessels will be prepared to operate on methanol straight after their delivery.