Vallianz and Royal IHC to develop battery hybrid SOV

Designed by Royal IHC, the battery hybrid SOV features advanced levels of integration and autonomy with high operational efficiency that will make the vessel the first of its kind in the industry. The SOV is also designed to be ready for true zero emission operations by using full battery offshore charging system and alternative fuels for propulsion.

The SOV will have a dynamic positioning system, a motion compensated gangway and crane, an elevator tower as well as a daughter craft with step-less boat landing. Ample space will be available for warehousing, workshops, office spaces to cater to operations, and relaxation areas for passengers.

Under the terms of the MOU, the SOV will be constructed at Vallianz’s shipyard in Batam, Indonesia, owned by PT. United Sindo Perkasa (Vallianz PT USP), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the group.

To facilitate the building and future operations of the SOV, the Group has also inked a MOU with Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Deutschland) GmbH & Co. KG which will provide ship management services for the SOV. BSM Deutschland will handle vessel operations, fleet management, crewing and will provide relevant ship management input to the design of the SOV to improve the vessel’s operations for offshore windfarms.

Darren Yeo, Executive Vice Chairman of Vallianz, said: “This project will serve as a springboard for Vallianz to advance our marine technology and capabilities, as well as strengthen our profile in the offshore windfarm industry. At the same time, it will allow Vallianz PT USP to further penetrate the Asia Pacific shipbuilding market where we have marked our entry into Taiwan with the award of newbuilding contracts last year.”

During 2021, the Group secured contracts to design and construct three research vessels for the Fisheries Research Institute of Taiwan and a 3,200 BHP tugboat for TIPC Marine Corporation which is a Taiwan state-owned company. The tug will be based on a design by Khiam Chuan Marine and will be fitted with two Azimuth thrusters. The 35-meter tugboat will have a 40-tonne bollard pull and be equipped with two generators, as well as two firefighting units driven by the main engine. It is scheduled to be delivered to TIPM during the second quarter of 2022.

In Feb 2022, Vallianz, SeaTech Solutions International, Shift Clean Energy and ABS formed a strategic alliance for the construction of an all-electric, zero carbon emissions harbour tug (e-tug) – the first of its kind in the Asia Pacific region.

Based on the “E-Volt Electric Tug” design by SeaTech, the e-tug will be driven by a fully-classed electric battery system provided by Canadian-based Shift. This follows a recent Memorandum of Understanding between Vallianz and Shift to collaborate on vessels that require electrification solutions.

Measuring an overall length of about 24 meters, the e-tug will be powered fully by battery and equipped with azimuth propulsion. It will have a bollard pull in excess of 60 tonnes with service speed of over 12 knots. The digitization platform installed on the e-tug – from its battery management system to auxiliary equipment systems – will enable the end-user to remotely monitor and optimize the vessel’s operational efficiency.