Strategic Marine, ESNA to Jointly Develop SES Crew Transfer Vessel

March 22, 2024, by Adnan Memija

Norway-based Espeland and Skomedal Naval Architects (ESNA) and Singapore’s Strategic Marine have signed an agreement to develop a Surface Effect Ship Crew Transfer Vessel (SES CTV) for offshore wind applications.

The companies are planning to start building the first offshore wind farm SES CTV during the fourth quarter of 2024.

“We are delighted to formalize this agreement and look forward to continue working with ESNA in order to expand the portfolio of SES designs and offer vessels with this very exciting technology to a wider range of our customers,” said Eng Yew Chan, CEO at Strategic Marine.

ESNA is supplying the vessel design package and an equipment package for the main SES systems. The SES equipment package simplifies the complexity during construction by fully replacing hydraulic systems with modular electrical systems, according to the Singapore-based shipbuilder.

The fully automatic SES control system enhances both energy efficiency and operational performance, said the company.

latest news

The high speed of the SES concept ensures a shorter transit time and thus more time for work. The active SES motion damping system provides better seakeeping and higher passenger comfort than what is possible with conventional monohulls and catamarans, said Strategic Marine.

It is also used at the wind turbines to allow turbine transfers in higher wave heights. The low SES resistance offers fuel savings and reduced emissions in combination with the increased speed.

Strategic Marine has a long track record building CVs for offshore wind with 36 vessels delivered since 2012. In February 2023, the company received an order from Purus Wind’s High Speed Transfers (HST) to build three new Chartwell Marine-designed hybrid CTVs.