The first Windcat CSOV in the Elevation Series is setting new standards in comfort, performance and decarbonisation.
Constructed at Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam and developed in collaboration with Damen Shipyards Group, Windcat and CMB.TECH, the CSOV (Commissioning Service Operation Vessel) supports construction, commissioning and maintenance activities at offshore energy projects.
Windcat Rotterdam serves as a floating base for personnel and equipment, enabling safe and efficient access to offshore assets.
Comfort on board is a key feature, with spacious single and double cabins for up to 120 people, a fully equipped gym, entertainment areas and high-quality catering and housekeeping services. The interior is developed in collaboration with experts to ensure a “home away from home” experience for offshore personnel.
Willem van der Wel, Managing Director at Windcat said, “We are very proud and happy to have taken delivery of our first CSOV, Windcat Rotterdam. It has been great to see this groundbreaking design come to life.”
Windcat Rotterdam is equipped with the latest available technologies in terms of fuel efficiency and emission control such as closed bus switchboard configuration and a hybrid battery-electric propulsion system. Four azimuth thrusters enable precise manoeuvrability and efficient operations. Collectively, these techniques are expected to ensure that the vessel will reduce CO2 emissions by 30%.
CMB.TECH’s hydrogen technology will also be implemented in the Elevation Series CSOVs. A dual fuel hydrogen engine will enable the auxiliary genset to run on hydrogen. The hydrogen genset, storage and fuel supply system are ready for integration on the vessel once final approvals are in place.
Willem van der Wel added, “Now that Windcat Rotterdam has been added to our fleet, we are able to offer not only best-in-class CTV services but also best-in-class CSOV services. We see a bright future for our vessels in the offshore energy industry supporting clients globally to safely and comfortably accommodate and transfer personnel to their projects offshore.
“Thanks to the excellent cooperation with Damen Shipyards and all key suppliers we can deliver such an innovative vessel, and we look forward to the delivery of the remaining five CSOVs in the coming years.”
Technical specifications: Length overall 89.39 m Beam (Width) 19.7 m Main engines 1x ABC 12DZC (2390 kW), 2x ABC 8DZC (1672 kW each) Auxiliary generator 1x MAN LE 337 dual fuel hydrogen engine (800 kW) in DBR genset Propulsion system Hybrid diesel-electric with battery Thrusters 4 x 1800 kW azimuth thrusters (2x aft, 2x forward, Schottel SRP 430) Battery 1700 kW (CORVUS Energy) Gangway capability Motion-compensated SMST TAB-L2 Crane 10 t 3D motion-compensated (SMST MCC-L)
