Acta Marine orders 2 dual-fuel construction vessels designed to run on methanol, HVO

Image: Acta Marine

Acta Marine has signed a contract for the construction of two next-generation DP2 construction service operating vessels (CSOVs) at Turkish shipyard Tersan that will be capable of operating on methanol and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in its neat form or blended with marine diesel oil (MDO). Acta Marine also has the option for two more vessels for delivery at a later date.

The vessels are primarily aimed at the offshore wind-turbine construction market and carry the new SX-216 Twin-X stern design from Ulstein Design & Solutions AS that was exclusively designed for and in cooperation with Acta Marine.

“Acta Marine is growing along with the offshore wind construction market by ordering these two vessels while remaining one of the leaders in this field,” said Rob Boer, managing director at Acta Marine. “The dedicated SX-216 design with a Twin-X stern, an integrated walk-to-work gangway system and 3D crane and its hotel-style accommodation represents a next step in responding to the market needs. A first in offshore wind, this vessel will be capable of operating on dual fuel methanol and MDO/HVO enabling a strong carbon footprint reduction in the near future in combination with a battery-power system. Furthermore, we are very excited that we have been able to sign an agreement with Tersan Shipyard that is well known for its quality and professionalism.”

With a strong ESG and sustainability focus, Acta Marine sees methanol as one of the most viable alternatives to minimize its carbon footprint in the marine space and, more specifically, for offshore vessels.

“Dual-fuel methanol-driven propulsion trains score high in terms of technology readiness and are eligible for further enhancement to a single-fuel methanol upgrade at a later stage,” said Simon Anink, general manager at Acta Marine. “This will allow early application of significant CO2 reduction measures now, while still allowing net-zero operations over the life of the ship.”

The CSOV measures 89 meters (292 feet) in length, 19 meters (62 feet) in width and accommodates up to 135 people in 85 cabins. It will be equipped with an SMST-provided motion-compensated gangway system, mounted on an integrated tower with height adjustment and a personnel/cargo lift. Additionally, the vessel features an SMST 3D motion-compensated crane with 6 tons of lifting capacity. Cargo area is 500 square meters (5,382 square feet) indoors, and 500 square meters (5,382 square feet) outdoors. The vessel shall provide for walk-to-work transfer of personnel and cargo, efficient and safe in significant wave-heights (Hs) up to 3 meters (9.8 feet).

“We are very pleased that Acta Marine has chosen Tersan for this project,” said Sakir Erdogan, business development director at Tersan Shipyard. “We are looking forward to the cooperation and to deliver the new vessels to the growing renewables industry.”

Acta Marine’s new CSOVs can take on assignments in commissioning and construction of offshore wind-farm installation and perform maintenance tasks on completed wind farms. The first two vessels are scheduled for delivery in the second and third quarters of 2024.