HST Marine Adds Damen Hybrid Vessels to Its Fleet

December 2, 2022, by Aida Čučuk

Offshore services provider, High Speed Transfers (HST) Marine, and Damen Shipyards have signed a contract for the supply of three hybrid Fast Crew Supplier 2710 vessels at the annual Damen Maritime Festival held in Gorinchem, the Netherlands, at Damen’s headquarters.

The three Damen vessels will be fitted with 190 kW battery arrays that will enable them to operate emissions-free, both when in the harbour and when loitering offshore awaiting the retrieval of their technicians.

In zero-emission mode, the vessels will be propelled by an electrical motor that is connected via the gearbox (PTI) to the propeller shaft. Moreover, Damen said that when sailing in diesel mode, the electrical motors can work in reverse as PTO and can be used to charge the batteries and provide the hotel load for the vessel.

According to Damen, the vessels will also be IMO Tier 3 compliant and feature all the latest upgrades made to the class based on customer feedback and technological advances.

“We are delighted that HST Marine is the inaugural customer for this ground-breaking CTV class. Tom and his team brought the first FCS 2710 into the market and now they are acquiring the first 2710 Hybrid. Their foresight and confidence in Damen have played an important role in the evolution of the modern CTV and we are very proud that they are taking delivery of these high-end vessels. It is testimony to the strength of our relationship based on mutual trust and cooperation,” said Frederik van der Linde, Damen’s Sales Manager UK & Ireland.

Damen said that HST Marine, a part of Purus Wind, a company that provides low-carbon maritime transportation and infrastructure systems, will be closely involved throughout as a key part of the build team.

HST collaborated with Damen in the past as well. Its current Damen fleet includes conventional FCS 2710s and a Multi Cat 2309.

“The addition of the FCS 2710 Hybrids to our fleet supports our strong commitment to providing low-carbon solutions to our customers in offshore wind,” said Tom Nevin, CEO of HST and Business Head of Purus Wind.

The new hybrid vessels, already in build at Damen Shipyards Antalya, Turkey, will be set for delivery in early 2024, and Damen’s service hub, located at Portsmouth on the UK’s south coast, will provide ongoing support and maintenance services for them once they become operational.

Damen said that it is also investing further in building additional stock vessels at Damen Antalya in Turkey and Damen Song Cam shipyards in Vietnam.