Taiwan-based Hung Hua Construction has ordered a third Damen fast crew supplier (FCS) vessel that will arrive later this month.
The vessel will be a Damen FCS 2610. It will be joined, in early 2020, by the two Damen FCS 2710 vessels Hung Hua ordered at the start of this year.
This latest order adds capacity at short notice, enabling Hung Hua to fulfil the increasing number of charters that it expects, supporting offshore wind construction and operations and maintenance projects off the coast of Taiwan.
The contract was signed by Hung Hua and Damen at the start of September. The vessel, which is now on stock at Damen Shipyards Singapore, will be delivered this month.
The FCS 2610 is a catamaran design featuring Damen’s Twin Axe bow, and is designed to carry up to 12 personnel, plus crew, along with equipment and light cargo, at speeds of over 25 knots.
Hung Hua is also looking to add another two FCS 2710 vessels to its fleet by mid-2020.
All the vessels will be operated by Hung Hua subsidiary Dong Fang Offshore, which has signed a memorandum of understanding with UK-based High Speed Transfers (HST) to cooperate on the provision of crew transfer vessel (CTV) services for the offshore wind market in Asia.
HST operates a growing fleet of Damen FCS 2710 vessels and phase one of the agreement covers establishing a comprehensive safety management system (SMS) for the vessels and initiating ongoing crew training in both Europe and Taiwan for the locally based crews.
Dong Fang Offshore managing director Polin Chen said, “The FCS 2610 will be the first CTV of our future offshore fleet.
“It is also a significant milestone for Hung Hua and Dong Fang Offshore as it firmly commits us to the offshore wind industry in Asia.
“We wish to contribute to the sustainable green energy industry of offshore wind in Asia with our market-leading fleet. It is also an honour to cooperate with HST, a professional and pioneering company in the CTV sector in Europe.
“With their experience and the support of Hung Hua, DFO will steadily develop its service, operations and fleet and crew planning.”
Hung Hua Construction is Taiwan’s largest dredging and nearshore construction company and has expanded into offshore wind, developing a capability in fast crew transfer and other support services.
Clients include Taiwan Power Company.