UK-based crew transfer vessel (CTV) operator Tidal Transit has commenced the design and engineering phase of a project to deliver what is described as the world’s first retrofitted electric crew transfer vessel (E-CTV).
The project, which has received £6.3 m in funding from the Zero Emissions Vessel and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition, an initiative funded by Innovate UK and the Department of Transport, will see Tidal Transit retrofit a 20 m CTV, Ginny Louise with over two megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery capacity, electric motors and propulsion pods. It will subsequently be renamed e-Ginny and it is reckoned in addition to zero emissions the electrification will add increased manoeuvrability while being near-silent.
Electrical bunkering infrastructure remains extremely limited in the UK so the project will also look to install an onshore charging station developed by Artemis Technologies, as well as an offshore wind turbine based-charger from MJR Power & Automation to extend the time and range it can remain away from port. MJR Power & Automation last year collaborated with Tidal Transit on demonstrations of a ‘world-first’ offshore vessel and charging system using the CTV Elizabeth at the Port of Blyth. It is also collaborating with Damen on the development of a gangway-based offshore charging for the Dutch shipbuilder’s 7017 E SOV project, as announced in December.
When completed, the E-CTV will be begin service on a UK windfarm for a three-year tenure. The e-Ginny project is being undertaken in partnership with Goodchild Marine Services, Artemis Technologies and MJR Power & Automation. Other equipment suppliers include Volvo Penta, Danfoss and the battery system from Corvus Energy.
