Singapore-based Marco Polo Marine and green tech ship design company Seatech Solutions International will co-develop two new specialised offshore wind service, operation and maintenance vessels.
The ships are the MP S80-20 service operation vessel (SOV) and the S83-21 commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV).
They will be the first SOV and CSOV designed in Asia when completed, the companies said.
Marco Polo Marine said the ships will be equipped with a full suite of daughter craft, elevator towers and skidding systems, hybrid battery-based energy storage systems, enhanced automation and drone-equipped capabilities.
These features will cut fuel consumption and emissions by up to 15%-20% as compared to a non-diesel electric hybrid vessel.
The duo will each have a 3D motion-compensated crane and gangway, while the launching, landing and storing of drones are incorporated in each vessel’s design and work flow.
The SOV and CSOV will accommodate up to 60 persons and up to 110 persons respectively.
The SOV functions as a mother ship for wind turbine technicians performing maintenance and service work at offshore wind farms, while the CSOV is designed to support commissioning works during construction of offshore wind farms, as well as their maintenance operations.
Marco Polo Marine chief executive Sean Lee said: “It gives us great pleasure to unveil the co-development project for these first-of-their-kind, specialised vessels to support the supply and logistics needs of the offshore wind farm sector.
“This project also showcases Marco Polo Marine’s established track record in constructing Offshore Supply Vessels, as well as its extensive operational expertise in servicing the offshore wind farm market.
“Essentially, the SOV and CSOV represent a milestone and a giant leap forward for the offshore maritime industry, as it transitions to fuels with a lower or minimal carbon footprint.
“This project brings together different industry players with aligned values to cut greenhouse gas emissions, which dovetails with global and Singapore government initiatives to combat climate change.”
Seatech technical vice president Prabjot Singh Chopra said: “We are excited to partner with Marco Polo in the development of these wind farm support vessels from Asia for the global renewable energy industry.
“Built through leveraging our extensive database of offshore vessels and ultra-fuel efficient DP technology solutions, the SOV and CSOV will be designed to operate in severe weather conditions, combining the higher level of comfort with ergonomics and a reduced carbon footprint.”