Windcat Expands Hydrogen-Fuelled Workboat Fleet for Offshore Windfarm Support
Key Ideas
- Windcat orders a sixth hydrogen-fuelled workboat, a Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV), to support offshore windfarms.
- The workboat has dual-fuel capability and is part of the elevation series to be built by Damen Shipyards in Vietnam.
- Hydrogen is being embraced as an alternative bunker fuel in the shipping industry, with other companies like CMB Tech also ordering hydrogen-fuelled vessels.
- The first vessel in the series is scheduled for delivery next year, enhancing technical and maintenance support for offshore windfarms.
Windcat, a shipping company, is expanding its fleet of hydrogen-fuelled workboats with the addition of a sixth vessel, a Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV). This vessel, part of the elevation series, is aimed at providing technical and maintenance support to offshore windfarms. The new order, like the previous ones, has dual-fuel capability and will be constructed by Damen Shipyards in Vietnam. This move comes as part of the industry's shift towards adopting alternative bunker fuels, with hydrogen gaining momentum. Windcat's initiative follows in the footsteps of CMB Tech, which had ordered four hydrogen-fuelled tugs in May. The company's focus on hydrogen highlights a growing trend within the shipping industry to embrace cleaner and more sustainable fuel sources. The first vessel in Windcat's series is expected to be delivered next year, further bolstering the support infrastructure for offshore windfarms.