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Damen Shipyards receives order for eight, low-emission vessels for wind farm operations

Damen Shipyards and offshore wind services provider Purus Wind have signed a contract for the build and delivery of eight new vessels.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

March 28, 2023

2 Min Read
Mock ups of Damen support vessels
Damen Shipyards

The order comprises four Damen Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 2710 Hybrid and three Damen FCS 3210 Hybrid Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) and one, 90-metre Construction Service Operation Vessel (CSOV).

The FCS 3210s and the CSOV will not only be equipped for ultra-low emission operations, but they have also been designed to be upgraded to methanol-fuelled engines when the time comes. The order is part of Purus Wind’s strategy to be a leading provider of low-carbon, offshore wind support vessels to meet the needs of the clean energy industry as its members set out to decarbonise.

The new Hybrid FCS 2710s will join Purus Wind's three other Hybrids - High-Speed Transfers ordered from Damen in the second half of 2022. The larger FCS 3210s are a new design that use the same twin axe hull form and share many of the same attributes as the FCS 2710s. As with the new FCS 2710s, a hybrid battery package for zero-emissions sailing is integrated into the design.

The latest vessel in the 90-metre Damen CSOV Series will be capable of carrying up to 120 persons for up to thirty days at a time.

“These vessels will support a pathway for our clients to decarbonise their operations and to maintain our position as a leader with the lowest carbon offshore wind support fleet,” said Tom Nevin, CEO of HST and Business Head of Purus Wind. “We are incredibly pleased to be continuing our relationship with Damen, having been the launching client for the FCS 2710 and the FCS 2710 Hybrid, and now the FCS 3210 Hybrid. We are also very excited about the potential of what will be our first hybrid vessels with the ability convert to methanol.”

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“Damen is exceptionally proud of this unique order,” added Frederik van der Linde, Sales Manager United Kingdom, and Ireland. “The design team responsible for the FCS 2710s and FCS 3210s and the design team responsible for the CSOV range have put a tremendous amount of effort into this project. The input of Tom Nevin and his team was vital for us as well.”

The new vessels are scheduled to be delivered between 2024 and early 2027.

About the Author

Michele Labrut

Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America.

Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks.

Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

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