Damen to build eight vessels for wind farm operation

Damen Shipyards has won a contract from London-based Purus Wind to build eight low-emission vessels for offshore wind farm operations. The order comprises four fast crew supplier (FCS) 2710 Hybrids, three Damen FCS 3210 Hybrids, and one 90m-long construction service operation vessel (CSOV).

The FCS 3210 units and the CSOV will be designed ready to be upgraded to operate on methanol in the future. The 3210s share features with the smaller 2710s, including a twin-axe hull form and a hybrid battery package. The vessels are designed to support wind farms sited further from shore and will be able to stay at sea for longer periods. Their additional length provides more space for passengers and crew.

The FCS 2710 Hybrids will join three similar vessels supplied by the shipbuilder in the second half of 2022. They will have design upgrades, including an improved wheelhouse window arrangement and bridge console layout. The twin-axe hull configuration ensures good seakeeping and fuel economy and provides more deck space and accommodation.

The CSOV, capable of carrying up to 120 persons for up to 30 days at a time, will operate with a hybrid arrangement of diesel-electric propulsion and batteries. Its Damen DPX-Drive, with two pairs of identical thruster units fore and aft, will ensure precise manoeuvring and station-keeping.

Other features of the CSOV, Damen said, will include an anti-roll tank to improve stability and a motion-compensated gangway. Extra space will be built in for more batteries, if and when required, and the vessel will be ready for methanol conversions and offshore charging.

Purus Wind’s Tom Nevin, CEO of High Speed Transfers and the company’s Business Head, commented: "These vessels will support a pathway for our clients to decarbonize their operations and to maintain our position as a leader with the lowest carbon offshore wind support fleet. We are incredibly pleased to be continuing our relationship with Damen, having been the launching client for the FCS 2710 and the FCS 2710 Hybrid, and now the FCS 3210 Hybrid. We are also very excited about the potential of what will be our first hybrid vessels with the ability to convert to methanol."

Speaking for Damen, Frederik van der Linde, sales manager for the United Kingdom and Ireland, said: "Damen is exceptionally proud of this unique order. The design team responsible for the FCS 2710s and FCS 3210s and the design team responsible for the CSOV range have put a tremendous amount of effort into this project. The input of Tom Nevin and his team was vital for us as well."