A shipbuilding contract has been completed for what is being called the “world’s first truly zero-emission, electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV),” which will be built in Gondan’s Asturias shipyard in Spain with delivery in 2026.
Bibby Marine reports that it completed a tender process and has selected Gondan to build the vessel.
Gondan’s Asturias shipyard won the project after a tendering process involving a variety of yards in the UK and overseas.
Bibby cites the timeline, budget, quality, and their track record in building specialist vessels as the reasons for selecting Gondan.
The eCSOV, which has been designed in collaboration with UK-based ship designers Longitude, will feature a powerful battery system, complemented by dual-fuel methanol engines. It will also feature high-voltage offshore charging facilities for rapid recharging.
Furthermore, the vessel will have the capability to operate solely on battery power for over 16 hours between charging cycles.
This project is part of the Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) scheme, funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK.
ZEVI is part of the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, a £206m initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector.
Nigel Quinn, Bibby Marine chief executive said: “As a UK owned company, we are pleased this vessel will be the first UK designed CSOV and a UK flagged vessel,” adding that this project will demonstrate that clean ships can be built at the same total cost of ownership as a conventional fossil burning vessel, coupled with significantly reduced operating costs.
Daniel Scavuzzo, sales director of Gondan Shipbuilders stated: “We are excited to begin this journey with Bibby Marine, who are at the forefront of offshore wind and committed to decarbonising the maritime sector. This project fits seamlessly with our expertise in zero-emission technologies.”
