The steel cutting ceremony of the first of two offshore wind farm construction service operation vessels (CSOVs) for Acta Marine has taken place at Tersan Shipyard in Turkey.
The two next-generation vessels, based on an SX216 design, has been developed through a collaboration between Acta Marine and ship designer Ulstein Design & Solutions.
The steel cutting is the official kick-off for the construction of the first vessel at the shipyard, with the second to follow in three months’ time.
Th pair will be added to Acta Marine’s fleet in the second quarter of 2024.
The 89 metre-long vessels will both be equipped with a motion-compensated crane and a motion-compensated gangway for safe personnel transfer in wave heights up to three metres.
The CSOVs will provide comfortable accommodation for up to 135 people.
In addition to the engines, which will be able to use methanol, the vessels feature a battery storage system for further energy efficiency and emissions reduction.
The two CSOVs are the first contracted that will use Ulstein’s TWIN X-STERN design.
This design has two sterns and main propeller units at each end, while the combination of thrusters and symmetrical hull design results in lower energy consumption and reduced motions, resulting in higher operability and comfort.
The latest Acta Marine CSOV, using the TWIN X-STERN design, are nominated for the Offshore Renewables Award.