Windcat Workboats and CMB TECH have launched the “first” hydrogen-powered crew transfer vessel (CTV), which is ready for immediate operation after successful completion of trials and bunkering.
The Hydrocat 48 vessel is the first CTV that uses clean fuels to reduce up to 80% of its traditional fuel usage and associated emissions.
The Hydrocat 48 improves on the fuel efficiency of the Windcat MK 3.5 design, they added.
Dual fuel technology has been integrated into the MK3.5 series without compromising on performance and retaining the reliability of a traditionally fuelled vessel, according the the partners.
The base Man engine is manufactured by Man Engines for dual fuel use and retrofitted by CMB TECH with a hydrogen injection system.
Windcat Workboats managing director Willem Van Der Wel said: “This vessel offers the industry a cost-effective solution to significantly reduce emissions from service vessels, which can be applied to any wind farm today.
“This solution can be seen as a stepping stone to fully hydrogen powered CTVs.
“By starting with dual fuel combustion engines, we can make hydrogen technology operational in the industry and kick-start further development of the technology, regulation, supply chain, etc.”
CMB TECH chief technology officer Roy Campe said: “The suitability of this technology for a CTV is mainly because existing diesel engines can be used.
“No fundamental changes to the main engine are required, which not only means that maintenance and repair remain simple, but also that the engine can easily be switched back to diesel fuel without any modifications.
“Even if hydrogen is not available, the vessel can continue to run on traditional fuel, making it a very robust and reliable solution for the offshore wind industry.”
CMB TECH and Windcat Workboats are working on the further optimisation of engine capacities and the increased use of the hydrogen percentage.
The long-term plan is to develop the technology and infrastructure to be able to eventually use a mono-fuel option via an internal combustion engine.