Press Release

Mikkel Windolf, Senior Product Innovation Manager at Orsted: “Technology is constantly evolving and changing. However, vessel designs have remained relatively stable in the offshore wind business until now. The SES design is for the specific sites where transit distance and time suits. The SES vessel is signalling a change for the offshore market to move towards more specialised product that is aimed at solving unique challenges.”

 

 

 

The fastest crew transfer boats come the UK’s offshore wind industry.

Ørsted have commissioned three new vessels called Surface Effect Ships (SES) to improve the journey for technicians to turbines.

 

Ørsted, over the last couple of years, have trialled and investigated different options for transfer to the turbine, and today can reveal that three SES vessels have been signed for with World Marine Offshore.

 

The SES is twice as fast as a normal Crew Transfer Vessel, meaning Ørsted’s technicians will be able to get to turbines a lot quicker.

 

The new vessels have technology to help the waves pass under the vessel, with an air cushion that acts as a damper, ensuring much more stable transfers to and from the wind turbines. There is also 25% reduced fuel consumption compared to competing vessels in high speed.

 

The three vessels will be in operation on the East Coast of England from June 15th.  One will be on hire, with two being new builds for Ørsted.

 

Hans Schneider, CEO of World Marine Offshore: “We are excited to partner with Ørsted and in supplying the innovative SES technology. This secures a comfortable, safe, and fuel-efficient solution, and helps towards a lower Levelized Cost of Energy. From the early trials back in 2019-20 to now, we are at the exciting part of the process with delivering the fastest and most stable vessels in the wind industry”

 

The first SES vessel was deployed at a trial in Denmark back in early 2019. Assessing performance, talking to suppliers, and refining the design have led to a robust setup for our Race Bank wind farm where the SES vessels will replace the hotel like Service Operations Vessel currently operating the wind farm.

 

Mikkel Windolf, Senior Product Innovation Manager at Orsted: “Technology is constantly evolving and changing. However, vessel designs have remained relatively stable in the offshore wind business until now. The SES design is for the specific sites where transit distance and time suits. The SES vessel is signalling a change for the offshore market to move towards more specialised product that is aimed at solving unique challenges.”

 

Wind giant tests fierce “seaplane” outside Esbjerg at 78 kilometers/hour

“Ørsted (former Dong Energy) is currently testing a hybrid between a hovercraft and a catamaran, called a “Surface Effect Ship” between Esbjerg Port and Horns Rev 2. With a max speed of up to 80 kilometers/hour, this vessel is stirring quiet a sensation….”

“We are constantly working to improve the technologies that we use when operating our windmill parks. A faster service vessel means shorter transit time, and therefore, technicians get more work time at windmill parks. When operating windmill parks, we have days where we can’t get access to the field due to weather; a more robust craft makes it possible to transfer wind technicians, allowing for more offshore working days per year, explains Håkan Borgström, Senior Manager, Operations Technology – Concept Line at Ørsted”. Read full article in Danish at Jydske Vestkysten

Umoe Rapid completes charter at Hywind Scotland

Umoe Rapid completes charter at world’s first floating wind farm, Statoil’s Hywind Scotland pilot park

Umoe Rapid has successfully completed its first charter at world’s first floating wind farm 30 MW Hywind Scotland pilot park and at 402 MW Dudgeon offshore wind farm for Statoil, having worked under cargo and crew transfer contract.

This newbuild high-performance CTV was delivered in May 2017 and is currently under commercial and operational management by World Marine Offshore. Umoe Rapid is the second WAVECRAFTTM Crew Transfer Vessel from Umoe Mandal AS that has carried out a charter for Statoil at Hywind offshore wind farm. Previously, Umoe Firmus has worked at the same field for Statoil.

Positive feedback on vessel’s performance has been received both from Umoe Rapid’s captain and Statoil’s representatives. Tomasz Pruszynski, Master of Umoe Rapid has noted during the charter: “They are all amazed with the vessel and its performance”.

Ben Lawson, Statoil’s Senior Operations Engineer at Hywind park has complimented the crew and vessel’s performance, saying: “Been a pleasure working with you guys. You have supported the work scope at Hywind excellently and more importantly, you have done so safely.”