CWind Launches CWind Pioneer, the World’s First Hybrid Surface Effect Ship

Named the CWind Pioneer to demonstrate its position at the forefront of crew transfer vessel innovation, the vessel was developed in response to an industry-wide push to develop and deploy innovative technologies that reduce CO₂ emissions, while cost-effectively servicing windfarms located further offshore. The CWind Pioneer achieves this through a hybrid diesel and battery electric power system which enables the vessel to operate purely on battery power while in harbour or at standby in the windfarm, resulting in a decrease in fuel burn and CO₂.

With surface effect hull form and heave compensation technology, the CWind Pioneer can operate at speeds exceeding 43.5kts, and can transit and transfer safely in sea states in excess of 1.8m Hs, while minimising motion and acceleration through its air cushion motion control system, resulting in a smoother, more comfortable CTV experience for technicians and crew. The overall design and build, with 24 passenger capacity, pays particular attention to technician and crew health, safety and comfort, delivering the workforce in the best possible work-ready condition, resulting in increased operation days offshore for our client’s O&M and construction activities. 

At a speed of 43.5kts, the Pioneer is over 20% more fuel efficient than conventional CTVs running at 24kts on a mile for mile basis. For a typical windfarm situated 30nmi from port, this translates to a reduction of over 110 tonnes of CO₂ per vessel, per year, by using the hybrid SES.

This figure excludes the savings of the hybrid system, which will allow the vessel to be zero emission ship infield while technicians are carrying out their work on the turbines. Specific figures will be shared once these savings are proven, but initial desk top studies suggest a 30%-50% saving over conventional vessels.

The high transit speed of the vessel also means windfarms previously serviceable only by an expensive SOV, can now be reached by the SES CTV within 60 minutes, giving wind farm owners and operators more low cost, low carbon options when determining their transfer strategy.

Nathanael Allison, Managing Director, CWind said: “The launch of the CWind Pioneer marks a significant milestone for the industry and helps pave the way towards achieving net zero targets. The vessel utilises revolutionary technology to meet the needs of the market and our customers who want a greener, safer, and more efficient Crew Transfer Vessel to support their commercial and green objectives. With the CWind Pioneer we have delivered just that – a new generation of CTVs.”

The CWind Pioneer will be used at the Borssele 1 and 2 offshore wind farms through a long-term charter contract agreement with Ørsted. Using the CWind Pioneer enables Ørsted to not only deliver and service their windfarms efficiently through reduced transit times, but also supports their ambition of a world that runs entirely on green energy.

The Hybrid SES crew transfer vessel was developed in partnership with ESNA, a ship design company based in Kristiansand, Norway. ESNA specialises in low emissions technologies and surface effect ship development, to deliver commercially competitive vessels with significant carbon reductions by design.

Trygve H. Espeland, Naval architect and co-founder of ESNA, said: “We are delighted to see the launch of the CWind Pioneer. She is not only a step-change for the offshore wind industry, but also for the SES design, as she is the first SES with 100% electric air cushion systems, which were both fun and challenging to achieve.

“As a SES, she is reducing emissions by offering low resistance at high speed, and the air cushion motion damping is allowing offshore operations in same wave heights as larger vessels. By choosing a SES you can, therefore, reduce emissions by simply building a smaller vessel for the same job.”

The Hybrid SES propulsion engine delivers sprint speed and extreme bollard push, from its 1,600 kW installed diesel engines, which can be battery boosted up to 1,800 kW.

The vessel was built by Wight Shipyard Co., a leading UK aluminium and high-speed craft vessel builder.

See the CWind Pioneer in action here.