Bibby Marine recently held a keel laying ceremony for its first hybrid-electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV) at Astilleros Armon in Vigo, Spain.
The 6,700gt vessel will combine methanol engines and battery technology to deliver zero-emission commissioning and operations support to offshore wind farms. Once operational in 2027, the vessel is expected to significantly reduce lifecycle emissions and fuel consumption while accommodating up to 120 personnel for offshore deployment lasting up to 30 days.
Bibby Line Group CEO, Jonathan Lewis, said: “This vessel is more than a feat of engineering – it’s a symbol of our values as a business, in action. At Bibby Marine, we believe in doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult. We began work on zero-emissions vessels back in 2019, long before it was mainstream. As we lay the keel for our electric-first vessel, we are proud to be proving that clean, sustainable maritime solutions are not only possible, but essential.”
The vessel is the latest step in Bibby Marine’s E-Mission Zero campaign – a call to industry to collaborate in building a cleaner, lower-cost future for offshore wind operations. It follows the launch of a public open letter in June 2025, co-signed by Bibby Marine, Kongsberg Maritime and Stillstrom, challenging the sector to act on lifecycle emissions.
Key partners in the project include Kongsberg, provider of the dynamic positioning and main propulsion package, battery provider, Corvus Energy and Wartsila, which provides engine and propulsion.
Image: Keel laying for Bibby’s eCSOV at Armon in Spain (source: Bibby Marine)
