Tue 30 Jan 2018, 13:22 GMT

Rolls-Royce to upgrade six PSVs with battery power


Deal includes option for a further two offshore vessels.


Rolls-Royce's UT 771 WP design incorporates a fuel-saving, wave-piercing bow.
Image credit: Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine has received an order to deliver a battery-powered energy system for six offshore platform supply vessels (PSVs) which have been built by the yard Cosco Guangdong in China.

The delivery includes the energy storage container system (ESSU); an upgrade of the existing Rolls-Royce ship design engineering package to match the new features; an upgrade of the Dynamic Positioning system (DP) and the ACON control system; and the new Rolls-Royce Energy Monitoring system, which will provide a complete overview of energy usage onboard.

Recently Seacor Marine Holding announced that they have entered a joint venture with China Cosco Shipping Group. The new venture, Seacosco, has taken over eight offshore vessels which today are laid up by the yard.

The ships were ordered in 2013 and 2014 and their new owners have now decided to give six of the Rolls-Royce designed vessels an environmental upgrade, with an option for a further two.

The vessels are of Rolls-Royce UT 771 WP design, and have the characteristic wave-piercing bow. The bow is designed to reduce wave resistance during rough conditions, resulting in a smoother ride than traditional designs, reduced fuel consumption and increased onboard safety.

In addition to having provided the ship design, Rolls-Royce also originally delivered an extensive package of ship equipment and systems to the vessels now being prepared for an environmental upgrade. This new order for six offshore vessels - with an option for further two - follows deliveries or orders for battery systems for seven other vessels.

Louisiana-headquartered Seacor will take full operational responsibility for the vessels and add them to their current fleet.

Earlier this month, Seacor's president, chief executive officer and director, John Gellert, had said in a statement: "Combining a proven and advanced design, best in category accommodations, and the innovative Rolls-Royce battery system, these vessels will be highly marketable across all major offshore energy regions worldwide."

Asbjorn Skaro, Director Digital & Systems - Commercial Marine, Rolls-Royce, remarked: "We are looking forward to seeing these great vessels in operation and invested in for the future. These are advanced and modern ships, and we strongly believe that the new energy system on board will make them stand out from the crowd in the market. They will receive an upgrade that benefits both the environment and the economic efficiency of the ships."


TMS Tankers logo. Lloyd’s Register delivers fleet-wide energy transition roadmap for TMS Tankers  

LR Advisory maps vessel-level compliance risk and decarbonisation pathways across the Greek owner’s tanker fleet.

Dr Prapisala Thepsithar, GCMD. GCMD shares biofuel assurance and green finance insights at Hong Kong shipping decarbonisation forum  

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation presented pilot findings on biofuels and energy efficiency financing.

Laura Maersk ethanol bunkering graphic. Maersk conducts large-scale ethanol bunkering trial on Laura Maersk in Rotterdam  

A.P. Moller – Maersk has conducted a barge-delivered ethanol bunkering operation as part of ongoing fuel trials.

Luminara vessel truck-to-ship bunkering. MOL Techno-Trade completes first LNG bunkering for international cruise ship in Hokkaido  

Truck-to-ship LNG operation at Hakodate marks first such supply to an international cruise vessel in Hokkaido.

Acta Gemini vessel. Acta Marine takes delivery of methanol dual-fuel CSOV Acta Gemini for RWE wind farm charter  

The vessel will support operations at the Sofia Offshore Wind Farm at Dogger Bank.

Yeva Wood and Kirsten Møller Jørgensen. Malik Supply expands Danish team with bunker trader and finance hire  

Danish bunker supplier Malik Supply adds two new staff across its Fredericia and Aalborg offices.

AiP award ceremony for a 10,000-teu biofuel-powered container ship. HJSC wins AiP for 10,000-teu biofuel-powered container ship design  

South Korean shipbuilder HJ Shipbuilding & Construction receives classification society approval for its biofuel vessel design at Posidonia.

Active vessel. Capital Clean Energy Carriers takes delivery of LNG carrier and dual-fuel gas carrier, secures five new charters  

Athens-based CCEC expands its fleet and pushes contracted revenue backlog to $3.1bn.

VPS logo. Fuel quality management for vessels in extended idle: Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and adjacent anchorages | Rahul Choudhuri, VPS  

Managing fuel quality deterioration following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Person signing a document. Agastya Green Fuels signs 250,000 t/yr e-methanol offtake deal with Sri Lanka’s SAR Group  

Indian producer and Sri Lankan maritime firm agree long-term green methanol supply partnership.