Windcat Workboats has launched its first hydrogen dual-fuel commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) from Damen Shipyards.
Coming as the first of six, the new CSOV hit the water at Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam, powered by a hybrid-electric propulsion system using CMB.TECH’s dual-fuel hydrogen engine technology.
CMB.TECH claims using hydrogen combusted alongside diesel in its engines can reduce emissions by 60-90% – offering a flexible route for vessel operators to gradually transition to cleaner operations.
The 87-metre vessel will accommodate up to 120 people onboard working on offshore projects for extended periods.
Joost van der Weiden, Sales Manager Benelux for Damen, said, “The hybrid-electric propulsion system coupled with an efficient power distribution system means that there will be no need to run a backup diesel generator and the vessel will never use more power than necessary.
“We have optimised the thruster configuration, enhancing the dynamic positioning during transfer operations. All in all, we expect innovations like these to add up to substantial reductions in fuel consumption and, therefore, emissions.”
“We have been working with Damen towards this day for some years now and to see the first CSOV glide into the water was truly a special moment,” said Windcat Managing Director, Willem van der Wel.
“We are excited for this first vessel to hit the water today and look forward to introducing this game-changing vessel to the world next year.”
With five more CSOVs set to be launched under two contracts signed between Damen, Windcat and CMB.TECH between 2022 and 2024, the firms say all six vessels will be able to use hydrogen, with volumes increasing as the market progresses.
Sailing on fuels new and old: CMB.TECH’s dual-fuel hydrogen tech
© CMB.TECH | Hydrotug 1
Originating as the cleantech division of the Belgian maritime group Compagnie Maritime Belge (CMB), CMB.TECH has a legacy of over 130 years. In 2015, the subsidiary was tasked with exploring how to future-proof fleets with low-emission technology.
Fast forward almost a decade and CMB.TECH has become renowned across not only maritime but various heavy-duty mobility applications for its hydrogen dual-fuel internal combustion engine (ICE) technology.
Sitting with a construction order of more than 50 ships that will be powered by hydrogen or ammonia, Roy Campe, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at CMB.TECH, told H2 View that he believes the low-carbon technology could deliver more emissions savings than zero-emission solutions.
“We see that dual-fuel is in fact cleaner than the zero-emission alternative,” he boldly claimed…
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