Anglo-Eastern to operate Windcat CSOV
Signing of the ship management agreement between CMB.TECH and Anglo-Eastern (Source: Anglo-Eastern)
CMB.TECH subsidiary, Windcat, has retained Hong Kong-headquartered ship manager, Anglo-Eastern, to operate the first of six ‘Elevation series’ commissioning service operation vessels (CSOV).
The vessels, currently under construction at Ha Long Shipyard, Vietnam, in cooperation with Damen Shipyards, will be the first hydrogen-powered vessels of this type. Windcat is already working with the ship manager’s technical division, Anglo-Eastern Technical Services, on construction supervision.
The Hong Kong signing of the first vessel’s management agreement represents a new business stream for Anglo-Eastern. The company is targeting the offshore renewable energy sector in a bid to expand its technical and consulting services activity.
The CSOVs are designed to remain on station at wind farms for up to 30 days at a time, providing maintenance materials and accommodation for up to 90 technicians in hotel-style facilities. The six 87m-long vessels, equipped with hydrogen dual-fuel engines, will each have four azimuth thrusters (stern and bow), a motion-compensated crane, and walk-to-work motion-compensated gangways.
Anglo-Eastern CEO, Bjorn Hojgaard, commented: “Anglo-Eastern is grateful for the trust placed in us by Windcat to be a part of this innovative project developing the next generation of hydrogen-powered offshore vessels. By combining our deep industry knowledge and shared vision for a greener future, we are confident this investment in clean energy technology will pave the way for more environmentally responsible maritime solutions.”
“For us at Windcat, partnering with Anglo-Eastern represents a step forward in our mission to set the standard in the offshore industry,” declared Willem Van Der Wel, Windcat managing director. “With Anglo-Eastern's extensive global reach and their rich experience in ship management, we can further broaden our horizons and offer the same unparalleled service and innovation that our customers know, to this new vessel type, worldwide.”
The first CSOV is due to be commissioned in 2025.
