Fri 6 Feb 2026, 08:30 GMT | Updated: Fri 6 Feb 2026, 08:35 GMT | Evangelia Fragouli

Longitude unveils compact PSV design targeting cost efficiency


Design consultancy launches D-Flex vessel as a cost-efficient alternative to larger platform supply vessels.


D-Flex PSV design render.
Longitude's D-Flex design aims to deliver economic value through reduced capital and operating costs for shipowners. Pictured: Render of a D-Flex platform supply vessel (PSV) design. Image credit: Longitude

Longitude has unveiled a new compact platform supply vessel (PSV) concept designed to deliver lower capital and operating costs for shipowners serving offshore energy markets.

The design consultancy said its new D-Flex vessel is intended as a cost-efficient alternative where larger PSVs are not commercially suitable. The DP Class 2 vessel measures 74.7 metres in length and 16.2 metres in width, with a deadweight of 3,000 tonnes and a total deck area of 650 square metres.

The D-Flex is the second vessel concept in Longitude’s IMT Isca series and is an evolution of the operationally proven IMT 984 design. It is targeted at offshore energy operations in Asia, the Middle East and West Africa, with potential deployment in the southern North Sea.

Longitude said the design prioritises economic performance through reduced CAPEX and OPEX, while maintaining flexibility for different owner requirements. Layouts can be configured to include alternative accommodation arrangements, machinery choices and powering solutions, with optional preparation for future alternative fuels such as methanol.

Duncan Grigg, product lead for maritime design at Longitude, said the vessel was developed around commercial realities rather than theoretical performance.

The wider IMT Isca series is designed to provide adaptability across cargo configurations, accommodation layouts, machinery arrangements and propulsion options. Longitude said the platform is based on low fuel consumption and can be adapted for alternative fuels, including Tier III NOx-compliant solutions.

Longitude operates globally across ship design, marine operations, subsea and offshore wind projects, and forms part of the Oslo-listed consultancy group ABL Group.



MAmmoSS graphic. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding receives order for ammonia fuel handling system  

MAmmoSS system will support shop testing of ammonia marine engines from two licensors.

Neoliner Origin vessel. Kongsberg Maritime to lead EU Horizon project targeting wind-assisted propulsion at scale  

A 15-partner European consortium will use two full-scale vessel demonstrators to validate wind propulsion technology.

Petrobras logo. Petrobras warns of extended MGO and VLSFO supply suspension at Port of Itaqui  

Fuel distributor announces pipeline maintenance shutdowns affecting both MGO and VLSFO supply.

Richard Berkling, PowerCell Group. PowerCell secures SEK 50m marine fuel cell order for two liquid hydrogen cargo ships  

Swedish fuel cell maker wins contract to power two North Sea hydrogen vessels by 2028.

Wärtsilä hydrogen engine. MatH2 consortium launched to tackle hydrogen materials barriers  

New Finnish-led alliance targets materials compatibility challenges holding back hydrogen adoption.

CMA CGM Berenice vessel. CMA CGM takes delivery of fifth methanol dual-fuel boxship in series from Jiangnan Shipyard  

15,000-teu vessel is the penultimate ship in a six-vessel series due for completion in September.

VeriSphere logo. VPS launches VeriSphere Webshop in push to digitise marine fuel services  

Veritas Petroleum Services unveils self-service digital platform giving customers direct access to fuel data tools.

Titus vessel. ExxonMobil and Wallenius Wilhelmsen complete first trial of biofuel blend made from FAME distillation residue  

Vehicle carrier bunkered in Zeebrugge with B30 VLSFO blend.

Chimbusco and Shenergy green methanol agreement signing. 'China’s largest single-order green methanol procurement deal' announced  

Chimbusco and Shenergy seal agreement for 6,000 tonnes of methanol.

Moriond vessel. Exmar takes delivery of third dual-fuel LPG midsize gas carrier in newbuild programme  

Belgian shipping group Exmar takes delivery of the 41,000-cbm LPG carrier Moriond.