Cwind deployed Wight Shipyard Co (WSC) to build the world’s first hybrid surface effect crew transfer vessel, which is to operate Borssele 1 and 2 offshore windfarms located 23 kilometres off the Dutch coast in mid-2020.
WSC will construct the project from its development stage until its delivery.
The vessel will be equipped with the Hybrid SES propulsion engine, providing it with a sprint speed and extreme bollard push from its 1,600 kW installed diesel engines, which can be battery boosted up to 1,500 kW. Moreover, the vessel will be fuel efficient by balancing engine and inefficient low engine power running hours, with battery drive modes including windfarm standby and low speed/harbour operations.
This technology will result to an engine operating reduction of 50% during windfarm battery standby.
Peter Morton, CEO WSC commented
We have built a reputation in the fast ferry arena and commercial marine sector. But this a world first, building a hybrid SES for crew transfer. Building greener vessels has been an integral focus for some time now so we are well placed to lead this step change in Crew Transfer Vessels.
Moreover, the crew transfer vessel was develop by the operator CWind and ESNA, a ship design company based in Kristiansand, Norway.
The Hybrid SES crew transfer vessel will operate from the Dutch port of Vlissingen to Borssele 1 and 2, located 23 km from the Dutch coast in the North Sea.
