Together with Agalas, the Norwegian shipping company Eidesvik Offshore is building what it describes as the “world’s most environmentally friendly vessel” for subsea and offshore wind applications.
The new Construction Support Vessel (CSV) for subsea and offshore wind farms will be equipped with methanol engines and a battery hybrid system. The vessel will be owned by a company called Eidsvik Agalas AS, with Eidesvik retaining a majority stake of 50.1%. The remaining shares will be held by the northern Norwegian shipping company Agalas. In addition, Eidesvik Agalas has secured options for four further vessels. [ds_preview]
Eidesvik has a long history as a pioneer in demonstrating new emission-reducing technologies. The company was one of the pioneers in the introduction of LNG and battery technology in offshore vessels. With its latest addition to the fleet, Eidesvik will once again push boundaries with the “introduction of the world’s greenest vessel in its operating segments”, according to the shipping company. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, the vessel features a battery hybrid system and dual-fuel gensets that can run on both methanol and MGO.
The ship is to be built at the Sefine shipyard in Turkey and delivered in early 2026. The newbuild will be equipped for inspection, maintenance and repair (IMR) work. Upon delivery, the vessel will enter into a three to five-year time charter contract with Reach Subsea. The entire management of the vessel, including the crew, will be taken over by Eidesvik.
Eidesvik plans newbuild for offshore wind and oil & gas
“This new vessel fits perfectly with our strategy, which is based on sustainable ship solutions and long-term partnerships with our customers. The versatile vessel is designed to meet the needs of both the oil and gas sector and the offshore wind industry. This flexibility increases our capabilities and competitiveness in the future energy mix,” says Gitte Gard Talmo, CEO and President of Eidesvik Offshore.
Eidesvik and Agalas believe the timing for the vessel is “excellent” as demand for vessels in the subsea market will soon outstrip supply. The companies also expect offshore wind power to grow significantly this decade.
Mats Nygaard Johnsen, CEO of Agalas, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration: “The cooperation with Eidesvik enables us to combine the strengths of two Norwegian shipowners and build a world-leading vessel that combines functionality, environmentally friendly technology and highly skilled personnel.”
Together with designer NSK Ship Design, Agalas says it has developed a highly flexible vessel with state-of-the-art design, comfort and capabilities. It has an overall length of 99.9 m and a width of 21 m and can accommodate 100 people. It is equipped with a 150 t crane and a deck area of around 900 m².
