Windcat orders two more dual-fuel hydrogen vessels

Dutch offshore vessel operator Windcat has ordered two additional dual-fuel hydrogen-powered commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) from Damen Shipyards.

PHOTO: Model of Windcat Offshore's dual-fuel hydrogen CSOVs. CMB.Tech

A CSOV is designed and built for the commissioning service, maintenance, and operational needs of the offshore wind industry.

This order brings Windcat's total number of dual-fuel hydrogen CSOVs on order to five. Moreover, it has an option to order one more of these vessels in the future.

CSOVs will be equipped with CMB.Tech's dual-fuel hydrogen technology, Windcat confirmed. This technology is currently utilised by Windcat's crew transfer vessel Hydrocat 48.

According to CMB.Tech, the technology involves retrofitting MAN Energy Solutions' (MAN ES) engines with hydrogen injection systems, enabling the vessel to run on both diesel and hydrogen.

MAN ES said the engine can run on up to 50-80% hydrogen gas with 50-20% conventional fuel in dual-fuel mode or 100% diesel if hydrogen is not available.

Three of the five CSOVs are currently under construction at Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam and will be delivered to Windcat Offshore in 2025. The remaining two are scheduled for delivery in 2026.

Fuelling short-sea shipping with hydrogen

“CMB.TECH and Windcat Workboats are working together to further optimise engine capacities with the aim of increasing the percentage of hydrogen used in their dual fuel design,” CMB.Tech added. “The long-term plan is to develop the technology and infrastructure to eventually enable a mono-fuel option through the internal combustion engine (ICE).”

In addition, CMB.Tech has designed a dual-fuel four-stroke internal combustion engine under its BeHydro arm. It operates on 85% hydrogen gas and 15% conventional fuel.

This model recently received “type approval” which validates the engine's safety and performance from classification society Lloyd’s Register.

By Konica Bhatt

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