Witness the dawn of a new era in the U.S. offshore wind industry led by Edison Chouest Offshore, as it crafts a history-making mini-crew transfer vessel (Mini-CTV). The innovation of this U.K.-based Chartwell Marine-designed vessel signifies a paradigm shift in offshore operations. With the anticipation of launch by summer 2024, this all-new 39-foot catamaran, a companion craft to ECO’s first U.S.-built service operation vessel (SOV) ECO Edison, possesses the ability to carry up to 12 personnel.
Redefining Offshore Operations
The Mini-CTV is purpose-built to provide flexibility during extensive offshore stays. It serves as important transport for access to turbines, vessels, and project infrastructure spanning the Revolution Wind, South Fork Wind, and Sunrise Wind offshore wind farms. These wind projects, a joint venture of Ørsted and Eversource Energy, are garnering momentum in the U.S. Northeast region.
Achieving Excellence Through Innovation
Michael Braid, Vice President of renewables at ECO, expresses the significance of diversifying their fleet to ensure its efficient use and technical availability. The new Mini-CTV, designed to cater to a plethora of offshore wind projects, not only promises diversification but epitomizes ‘best-in-class’ in its genre. Based on Chartwell’s reports, the catamaran, equipped with Volvo Penta IPS, promises fuel efficiency, stability, and agility even in rough waters, thus establishing a new standard in maritime design and engineering.
Ensuring Safety and Adaptability
This ground-breaking vessel’s design takes into account Ørsted’s ‘Get Up Safe system,’ a motion-compensated hoist solution that enhances safety during the transfer of technicians from small moving vessels to offshore wind turbines. The bespoke design, according to Andy Page, Managing Director of Chartwell, ensures a safe and swift transition of engineers from larger vessels to turbines, proving its worth as “the small but essential chain connecting SOVs (service operation vessels) and turbines,” and establishing a new industry standard.
Stimulating Job Creation and Economic Growth
The construction of this vessel at Edison Chouest’s Louisiana shipyard bolsters the local economy, generating employment for around 15 workers and sourcing from U.S. suppliers across five states. ECO’s control over the construction of the vessel promises streamlined operations, amplified by the incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act.
Mikkel Mæhlisen, Head of U.S. operations for Ørsted, highlights how this vessel underscores the growth potential and job creation prowess of American offshore wind energy. Eversource Energy’s Vice President of Business Development, Mike Ausere, echoes the sentiment, indicating the pivotal role such initiatives play in job creation, delivery of clean energy, and the long-term establishment of a U.S.-based supply chain.
