More orders are rolling in for Strategic Marine’s StratCat 27 (SC27) Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) due to their hybrid-ready capabilities and increase in recognition. The latest order comes from the leading France-based joint venture, LD Tide. To add to its fleet of vessels servicing offshore windfarms in France, Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) and UK-based partner Tidal Transit, have ordered a hybrid-ready SC27 from the leading aluminium boat builder to add to their fleet.
The LDA group is anticipating the growth that comes with the offshore wind sector’s needs and is expecting many more new projects to come in line with their renewable development strategy.
At the end of 2022, EDF Renewables, Enbridge and CPP Investments started operations on a jointly owned 480MW wind farm project, The Saint-Nazaire Offshore Wind Project located in the Loire-Atlantique region of coastal France. LD Tide currently owns and manages a fleet of three CTVs to transfer technicians to the offshore wind farm, about 20nm off the coast of France.
Designed by BMT, The SC27 is the first of the orders that have been placed for a vessel to be built at a non-French yard which shows the confidence in the growing offshore wind player, Strategic Marine. The vessels are built to meet the needs of the rapidly developing offshore renewables sector and its build-to-stock programme gives it an advantage in meeting tight delivery schedules.
“We are excited to be working with Strategic Marine on this new project and are confident the new vessel will contribute to our fleet operations as we position ourselves as a key player of the French offshore wind industry.”
Mr Edouard Louis-Dreyfus, President of Louis Dreyfus Armateurs
“We are delighted to win this order from LD Tide to help expand its fleet to serve the growing French offshore wind sector. The confidence shown in ordering our new design demonstrates growing awareness of Strategic Marine’s capabilities and our reputation for timely delivery of reliable, high-quality vessels designed to meet stringent requirements and for demanding environments.”
Strategic Marine’s CEO, Mr Chan Eng Yew
Launched in May 2021, the SC27 design has already attracted wide interest from the offshore wind industry, where solid operational capabilities and a reduced environmental footprint are key requirements.
The 27-metre vessel was designed for optimal operational efficiency across a wide range of loading conditions, with a hull form that maximises waterline length and reduces emissions and fuel consumption. A maximum speed of 26 knots enables operators to transport customers quickly and efficiently.
The layout of the SC27’s accommodations and bridge deck has been improved based on input from both customers and vessel operators. Meeting Bureau Veritas biosafety notations, post-Covid real-world adaptations have also been made to reduce the risk of infectious disease on operations. The cabin design has been enhanced to provide better comfort and efficiency, offering sufficient storage, cosy sleeping quarters, and business-class seating for 24 offshore service and industrial personnel along with three crew members. The vessel’s bridge deck layout has been enhanced to give improved visibility from the helm and an ergonomic layout to increase comfort for the bridge crew. The vessel also features a Green Passport for ship recycling to keep in line with the environmental demands of the market.
The partnership between Strategic Marine, Sea Forrest Power Solutions, and Danfoss Power Solutions has introduced a new hybrid power alternative that can be easily retrofitted, building on the growing popularity of this design. By utilizing a parallel hybrid system, it is possible to decrease the number of hours the main engine runs and minimize the need for maintenance. This results in a noticeable decrease in noise and vibration emitted by the vessel. Additionally, depending on the vessel’s operating conditions and charging capabilities, this system can also help reduce the vessel’s carbon footprint during operation.
To acknowledge this, Strategic Marine has created a distinct logo that will identify all of its hybrid-powered vessels, including future ones.
Strategic Marine’s latest order is a significant stride towards achieving its Decarbonisation objectives for its product line. It also highlights the increasing recognition of the company’s design innovations and diverse range of products that cater to various market demands. In addition to its products, the company offers service and maintenance, engineering and fabrication, financial services, and marine logistics solutions. This comprehensive range of services provides clients with a complete turnkey solution for their assets’ entire lifecycle.
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