The latest evolution of the StratCat 27 CTV design developed by BMT for Strategic Marine and HST Marine, featuring a novel hull form with integrated hybrid propulsion technology, has been selected by Purus company HST Marine as one of its crew transfer vessel (CTV) designs for the expanding European offshore wind market.
Built by Strategic Marine, four hybrid StratCat 27 CTVs will be delivered in the first half of 2023, the first parallel hybrid propulsion CTVs to be built in Asia.
The design is the result of a collaborative process between the BMT and Strategic Marine teams. The CTV has been designed for optimal operational efficiency across a range of loading conditions with BMT’s hull form, maximising waterline length while maintaining a loadline length under 24m and helping reduce emissions and fuel consumption. A FP propeller Cat C32-driven propulsion system offers a maximum speed of more than 26 knots, allows transport of technicians quickly and efficiently.
The vessels include the latest generation, patented BMT Active Fender System (AFS) technology that dampens contact with the turbine tower, thereby reducing impact loads for turbine structures and allowing vessels to engage at higher sea states and improving safety during personnel transfers.
The cabin design has been optimised for improved comfort and workflow, with ample storage space, comfortable business class seating for 24 offshore service personnel and accommodation for up to nine crew members. To improve visibility from the helm, the vessel’s bridge deck layout has been enhanced with ergonomic positioning to increase comfort for the bridge crew. The parallel hybrid system which reduces main engine hours and maintenance costs can significantly reduce vessel noise and vibration and, depending on the vessel’s operational profile and charging facilities, can significantly cut the vessel’s operational carbon footprint.
BMT Head of Commercial Ship Design Sales, Martin Bissuel, said: “We are very proud to be able to continue our collaboration with Strategic Marine, customising our designs and support services, alongside their growing roster of CTV newbuilds. Our CTV offshore wind range, currently exceeding 70 CTV designs already in operation on wind farms around the world, is designed to meet the varying and increasingly complex needs of the industry whilst delivering on our commitment to reduce the vessels’ impact on the environment. With offshore wind expanding globally, coupled with the challenges of constructing and maintaining wind farms/CTVs in a variety of locations, a very flexible and forward-thinking design mindset is needed.”
Strategic Marine CEO Chan Eng Yew said: “Strategic Marine’s collaboration with BMT is proving successful once again with the latest version of the increasingly popular StratCat 27. These will be the first hybrid StratCat 27 for our client HST Marine’s exciting new CTV project in the European region. It’s the latest example of how we are working with specialist partners to build ever-expanding fleets of low carbon vessels which is a step-forward in our decarbonisation goals across our product range geared towards meeting market requirements.”
