The Damen Shipyards shipbuilding group has launched the next specialised vessel for the TSSM joint venture. The “TSS Challenger” is due to enter operations from early 2027 and will be deployed off the coast of Taiwan.
The CSOV (Commissioning Service Operation Vessel) is being built to the Type 9020 design at the Damen shipyard in Ha Long. This is the second newbuild for Ta San Shang Marine (TSSM), a joint venture between the Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and Ta Tong Marine from Taiwan. Following the delivery of the “TSS Cruiser” in May, the pair will be completed with the “TSS Challenger” in early 2027. The vessels, each 90 metres long, will be deployed for construction and maintenance work at offshore wind farms off the coast of Taiwan.
According to Damen, the CSOV 9020 model has been designed to meet the stringent requirements of the offshore energy sector. “The ship’s hull shape ensures excellent seakeeping and high stability, thereby guaranteeing comfort for the up to 120 people on board,” the Dutch company stated.
Crew and technicians are accommodated in hotel-standard cabins and board or disembark via a safe, motion-compensated gangway. The vessel’s design also offers ample storage space for equipment and supplies to support operations throughout the entire lifecycle of offshore energy installations.
Optimised for fuel efficiency
According to Damen, the optimised hull also results in lower fuel consumption. Combined with the CSOV 9020’s diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system, this enables a “significant reduction” in emissions. To ensure the vessel’s future viability in the years to come, the CSOV 9020 is also prepared for future operation using (green) methanol.
“We are delighted to have reached this latest milestone in the construction of the two vessels for TSSM,” said Thomas Röwekamp, Regional Sales Director for the Asia-Pacific region at Damen. “The CSOV 9020 model is based on years of experience in the European offshore wind industry. The vessel’s performance characteristics have been specifically designed and fine-tuned to support the rapid development of the Asian market. This means these vessels are ideally equipped to support TSSM – and its customers – in building a sustainable regional energy sector in the coming years.”
