Ulstein signs methanol CSOV deal

The CSOVs are destined for Netherlands-based Acta Marine and will be the third and fourth vessels in the Acta fleet to feature Ulstein’s TWIN X-STERN solution. They will be used to support North Sea wind farms under a 12-year contract with RWE.

The vessels are dual-fuel hybrids comprising a battery system and methanol/diesel engine. “We worked with Acta Marine to evaluate the best possible fuel alternatives,” said Rolf-Petter Almli in Ulstein Design & Solutions.

“Methanol’s energy density and storage are favourable, it is an accessible energy source, and dual-fuel engines that can handle both methanol and diesel are available in the market.

“As soon as methanol had been chosen as an alternative energy source, we started to adapt the design, implementing the methanol bunkering, tank and system layouts on a conceptual level,” he added.

The 89.9 metre X216 has a beam of 19.2 metres and can accommodate up to 135 crew. It has a walk-to-work motion-compensated gangway for safe personnel transfer to the turbines, a 3D-motion-compensated crane for cargo transfer and can carry a daughter craft for in-farm transfers.

TWIN X-STERN vessels have two sterns and two main propeller units at each end which Ulstein claims gives improved fuel efficiency and operability without compromising on vessel speed.

There is greater flexibility regarding the type of propeller with a bi-symmetric hull shape and propulsion setup with fewer propulsion units a possibility.

Ulstein’s TWIN X-STERN design and commitment to decarbonising the maritime industry has helped propel the company to ‘Industrial Design Company of the Year 2022’.