Windcat Workboats orders more hydrogen-powered CTVs

Windcat Workboats and CMB.TECH launched the Hydrocat 48 in May 2022 for customer Vestas. The new order comes following deliver and trials of this first vessel which is based on the already very fuel efficient and high performing Windcat MK3.5 hull design. The vessel has fuel consumption and emissions reduced by over 50% compared to traditional vessels.

The six additional hydrogen-powered vessels, ordered together with Windcat Workboats’ joint venture partners TSM and FRS, include four vessels of the MK3.5H2 series, two of which will be delivered in 2022 and two in 2023. The next vessel to be delivered in this series is intended for the German offshore-market and will be operated by Windcat’s joint-venture partner FRS Windcat. The other two vessels will be of the new MK5 series, 27-metre vessels with double the hydrogen capacity of the MK3.5H2 series.

CMB.TECH and Windcat Workboats are working to further optimise engine capacities with the aim of increasing the percentage of hydrogen used in their dual-fuel design. The long-term plan is to develop the technology and infrastructure to eventually enable a mono-fuel combustion engine option.

The hydrogen supply chain is still in its infancy and will need to develop to a stage where it is readily available in more locations. Windcat Workboats believes the introduction of more hydrogen-powered vessels will increase the demand for hydrogen, which will facilitate the development of hydrogen infrastructure.

CMB.TECH and Windcat have already developed solutions for delivering hydrogen to vessels. This includes a 40ft 500bar trailer capable of transporting hydrogen for remote refuelling of all different applications currently in use. This enables hydrogen bunkering in various port locations that are a distance from the hydrogen source. Multiple applications and customers can be served by this one system, meaning the Hydrocat fleet has access to hydrogen bunkering.

Windcat Workboats Managing Director, Willem van der Wel, said: “I am proud of this announcement which highlights our commitment to rapidly reducing emissions of offshore wind support vessels. The investment that we are making gives our customers access to more hydrogen-powered vessels in a short time, which will support them to achieve their own climate targets. We are actively engaging with hydrogen producers, clients, port authorities and class societies to ensure hydrogen fuel is readily available for use.”