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Northern Offshore Services orders record number of CTVs

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With four vessels already on the way and eight on order, the in-house designed E-Class series is now set to reach 12 innovative vessels that will redefine what the offshore wind industry can expect from safe, efficient, and future-proof crew transfer operations. The first of these, M/V Explorer, will arrive in Europe as soon as next week.

“This is not just a fleet expansion, this is a statement,” says David Kristensson, Group CEO of Northern Offshore Services. “We believe in this market, we believe in our design, and above all, we believe in our ability to lead innovation, sustainably, competitively and at scale.”

The new 36-meter E-Class vessels are designed to meet the evolving needs of the offshore wind industry:

  • Improved crew and technician comfort
  • Large cargo capacity tailored to future offshore wind demands
  • Future-proof platform supporting the transition to electric and alternative fuels
  • Improved hull design and advanced automation system to optimise energy efficiency

The vessels will be built with N-O-S’s long-term shipyard partner, extending a proven and trusted relationship. This order secures Northern Offshore Services’ position at the forefront of the offshore wind industry, delivering unmatched capability, comfort, and efficiency to clients across both established and emerging markets.

“The market is evolving fast, but we are faster, and we always try to be one step ahead. With this investment, we ensure a diverse and capable fleet profile, setting a new benchmark in our segment,” says David Kristensson.

ABB and Wallenius Marine establish OVERSEA™ joint venture

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ABB and shipping company Wallenius Marine have formally established a new joint venture based in Stockholm, Sweden, to expand their OVERSEA™ collaboration and ensure customers will fully benefit from future-proof vessel performance management capabilities. 

Launched in September 2022 as a collaboration between ABB and Wallenius Marine, OVERSEA™ is a combined digital solution and ‘fleet-support-center-as-a-service’ offering designed to help ship owners, operators, and managers enhance the efficiency and sustainability of maritime operations. OVERSEA™ leverages ABB’s significant expertise in ship technologies and the extensive fleet management knowledge from Wallenius Marine to enable measurable performance improvements. The solution leverages ABB Genix™ Industrial IoT and AI Suite, which integrates the power of industrial analytics and artificial intelligence into an enterprise-grade digital suite.

The solution collects and analyzes data on board of several vessels worldwide, with shore-based experts providing advanced decision-making support and tailored recommendations from the OVERSEA™ Fleet Support Center in Stockholm. As a result, operators are able to propose operational changes that can reduce fuel consumption and emissions while optimizing safety and reliability across their fleets.

“Our long-standing tradition of innovation and pioneering spirit is built on many years of experience in ship operations and advanced technical expertise. This makes us well equipped to quickly identify and respond to industry needs. Through our partnership and close collaboration with ABB, we can now bring our innovative fleet support service to a global market, and we look forward to continuing to drive maritime development together,” says Johan Mattsson, CEO of Wallenius Marine.

“The establishment of the OVERSEA™ joint venture marks a significant milestone for us, solidifying the successful collaboration between ABB and Wallenius Marine over the past few years,” said Tomas Arhippainen, Business Line Manager, Marine Service & Digital, ABB Marine & Ports. “With OVERSEA™, customers can transform data into actionable insights, enabling them to not only improve their performance but also sustain it over time. Consequently, both vessels and customer offices can adopt sustainable improvements, enhancing energy efficiency, safety, and reliability.”

Gibdock becomes major focus for offshore support vessel work

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In a significant and growing market for Gibdock, the Gibraltar-based ship repair yard has established itself as a trusted strategic partner to several major offshore players by consistently executing projects on time, within budget, and to the highest safety and quality standards.

As part of an ongoing relationship with Boskalis, Gibdock has completed works on the trailing hopper suction dredger Gateway, the construction support vessel BOKA Southern Ocean, and the multipurpose construction vessel BOKA Fulmar in recent months. Other significant OSV projects this year include the repair of Subsea 7’s construction/flex-lay vessel Seven Pacific and the repair and renewal of Technip’s specialised rigid pipelay vessel Deep Blue.

With Solstad’s anchor-handling tug supply vessel Normand Pacific currently in the yard for renewal, and many more projects in the pipeline for the year ahead, Gibdock’s outlook in the offshore support segment is strong.

“Offshore majors trust Gibdock because of our track record in delivering safe, high-quality, and on-time services at good value,” commented John Barnard, Commercial Director, Gibdock. “We work closely with these companies to provide bespoke projects and conversions within a timeline that suits them. Due to the strong and growing demand for our OSV services, we encourage proactive engagement: interested parties should approach us early, even when projects are planned for two or three years out, so we can ensure availability and provide tailored input.

Oil and gas condensate discovery in the Norwegian Sea

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The well tested the “Smørbukk Midt” prospect, located between Smørbukk and Smørbukk Sør about 250 kilometres southwest of Brønnøysund.

Preliminary calculations indicate the size of the discovery is between 1 – 3 million standard cubic metres of recoverable oil equivalent. This corresponds to between 6.3 and 18.9 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalent.

The licensees aim to connect the discovery to Smørbukk Sør, which is part of the Åsgard field.

This is the 15th exploration well in production licence 094, which was awarded on 9 March 1984 (8th licensing round on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS)). Well 6506/12-PB-3 H was drilled by the Transocean Encourage drilling rig, which will now continue the drilling of production well 6506/12-PB-3 AH in the Garn Formation at the same location.

The well’s primary exploration target was to prove petroleum in Middle Jurassic reservoir rocks in the Ile and Garn formations (the Fangst Group).

The secondary target was to collect data in reservoir rocks from the Late Cretaceous (the Lysing Formation).

Well 6406/12-PB-3-H encountered an approx. 54-metre condensate/light oil column in the Garn Formation in sandstone with moderate to good reservoir properties. The reservoir was about 94 metres thick, and the petroleum/water contact was not encountered.

66 metres of gas/condensate was also proven in the Ile Formation in a sandstone reservoir with moderate to good reservoir properties. The reservoir was about 75 metres thick, and the petroleum/water contact was not encountered.

The well was not formation-tested.

The well was drilled to respective measured and vertical depths of 4991 and 4218 metres below sea level, and was terminated in the Ror Formation in the Middle Jurassic.

Van Oord completes ballasting operations and scour protection for the West White Rose project

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Van Oord has successfully completed high-precision ballasting operations for the West White Rose project in Canada. Van Oord deployed its flexible fallpipe vessels Nordnes and Stornes to carry out the work.

Located in the Jeanne d’Arc Basin, approximately 350 kilometres off the east coast of Newfoundland, Canada, the West White Rose project is an expansion of the White Rose field. It consists of a fixed drilling platform situated on a custom-designed Concrete Gravity Structure (CGS). The CGS has a base diameter of 122 metres, is 145 metres tall, and supports an integrated drilling and production topside. Van Oord’s scope of work is divided into four phases: seabed preparation, solid ballasting activities, scour protection, and flowline protection.

During the first phase, completed in September 2024, Van Oord installed a seabed preparation layer that serves as the foundation for the CGS. The installation required strict adherence to client specifications and involved extensive planning, material testing, rigorous quality control of quarried rock, full-scale trials, and the expertise of a highly qualified and committed project team, along with the vessel crew of Stornes, which was deployed for the task.

In the second phase of the project, Van Oord carried out solid ballasting of the CGS to ensure sufficient weight for seabed stability once positioned. The unique design of the structure required a high degree of accuracy. Van Oord’s flexible fallpipe vessels Nordnes and Stornes approached the CGS simultaneously using dynamic positioning (DP), with one vessel on each side. Using boom belt-conveyors, they inserted MagnaDense (iron ore) into the CGS’s outer ring compartments. The vessels were constantly positioned 180 degrees from each other while moving around the CGS to fill all 24 compartments evenly. The ballasting operations were meant to prepare the CGS before its tow-out. The CGS has now been positioned on top of the seabed preparation layer previously installed by Van Oord.

Hans Smit, Project Manager at Van Oord, said:

’Van Oord has proven that it can execute a project of this complexity according to the highest standards. It has been successful thanks to excellent collaboration with both our client and across the entire team, as well as our skilled people and our fantastic equipment and automation.’

In the third phase of the project, Van Oord deployed its flexible fallpipe vessel Nordnes to install a protective scour edge around the CGS. The final phase, scheduled for Q4, will involve stabilising the pipelines from the drilling platform on the seabed. Once completed, the client will be able to bring the platform into operation. 

Exail secures sale of DriX H-9 long-range Uncrewed Surface Vessel

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Exail has secured the sale of its new long-range Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV), the DriX H-9, to a leading global hydrographic authority.

The new H-9 model delivers up to 20 days of autonomous endurance, increased payload capacity and enhanced flexibility to support a wide range of maritime missions. The DriX H-9 minimizes offshore logistics while extending operational reach, key requirements in sectors such as offshore energy and subsea infrastructure and naval surveillance.

The H-9 can carry multiple geophysical sensors simultaneously, such as side-scan sonar, magnetometer, multi-beam echo sounder and sub-bottom profilers. Its aft launch and recovery system enables deployment of towed sensors and inspection class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), supporting tasks such as seabed mapping and infrastructure inspection. An adaptable mast allows integration of additional sensors such as optical systems and advanced communications equipment, for maritime domain awareness missions.

Like the DriX H-8, the H-9 features a gondola architecture optimized for hydroacoustic sensors, ensuring high-quality, stable data collection. A common architecture framework across the DriX Series further simplifies fleet integration, enabling shared spares and streamlined maintenance.

“With this sale of the H-9, alongside the recent success of the DriX O-16, the DriX series is becoming a true reality at sea — enabling operations from shallow to deep waters, with expanding endurance, the ability to embark a wide range of sensors, and the capability to launch and recover various assets,” said Sébastien Grall, Head of Maritime Autonomy activity. “With its maturity, reliability, and widespread adoption by both civilian and military customers worldwide, the DriX Series continues to set the standard for high-performance USV operations and strengthens Exail’s leadership in the rapidly evolving autonomous maritime systems market.”

The DriX H-9 is scheduled to be delivered in 2026. 

Damen launches latest Island Class for BC Ferries

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The vessel is the second of four Island Class vessels currently under construction at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania. Once operational, the ferries will provide low emission services connecting coastal communities along the coast of British Columbia.

When delivered, the ferry will be the eighth Island Class vessel that Damen has built for BC Ferries. The Island Class is based on the design of the Damen 8117 Electric Ferry (E3).

The Galati shipyard has seen a lot of activity on all four Island Class vessels under construction over the past few weeks. In early July, the yard also marked the grand block assembly of the ninth vessel, and the keel laying of the tenth, on the same day. 

These ferries will transport passengers between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island, and Campbell River and Quadra Island. Damen is outfitting the vessels with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion. In the future, once the relevant electrical infrastructure is in place, BC Ferries intends to operate the ferries on 100% electric power. 

Damen Executive Director Global Sales Leo Postma said, “There’s been a lot of movement on the various Island Class vessels over the past few months and it’s very exciting for our team to see progress unfolding at such a rate. We continue to enjoy an excellent cooperation with BC Ferries. We are very grateful for the quality of this relationship, which is undoubtedly a significant factor in the ongoing success of the project.”

Damen is also supplying BC Ferries with onshore charging equipment and will, via its BC-based Service Hub, continue to provide its client with support during the vessels’ operational phase.

In a further step forward for sustainable public transport operations, the four Island Class vessels currently undergoing construction are being modified to reduce underwater radiated noise. 

Together, Damen and BC Ferries undertook a series of underwater noise measurements on the Island Class vessels already in operation. Damen, working with its suppliers, has put the findings from these measurements into reducing underwater radiated noise in this next generation of Island Class vessels. 

This is in line with BC Ferries’ Long Term Underwater Management Plan. The company has developed this Management Plan minimise impacts on marine life in the areas in which it operates, most notably the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale. 

Measures taken include hull drag reduction via towing tank testing after a number of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. Additionally, the adaptations were made to the vessels’ propulsion system including a new quieter and more efficient propeller blade design. 

Auramarine delivers methanol fuel supply system for two Terntank hybrid tankers

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Auramarine has signed an agreement to provide its methanol fuel supply system to two vessels within Terntank’s fleet of next generation oil and chemical tankers. 

The vessels operate with wind-assisted propulsion and dual-fuel engines capable of running on MGO, biofuels, and methanol. The delivery of Auramarine’s methanol fuel supply system is scheduled for April 2026 and September 2026 and the tankers will be delivered in January and June 2027 from China Merchant’s Jinling shipyard, Yangzhou.

Commenting on the agreement, John Bergman, CEO, Auramarine, said: “We are delighted to announce that Terntank has once again selected Auramarine as their preferred methanol fuel supply system provider for the second time. 

“As well as price and availability, a key element driving the widespread uptake of future fuels is having the right bunkering and onboard operational infrastructure in place. Today’s agreement confirms that we are on the right path. At Auramarine, we are committed to supporting the shipping industry’s decarbonization and will continue to innovate to bring new solutions to market which will effectively support the green energy transition.”    

Claes Möller, CEO, Tärntank Ship Management, added: “The new vessels demonstrate Terntank’s commitment to delivering sustainable shipping practices and supporting the industry as it looks to meet its decarbonisation targets. The hybrid tankers project, which is among the first of its kind, has required close collaboration with a number of partners. Given our recent positive experience with Auramarine, they were the natural choice to provide the methanol supply system for these new vessels.”

Wärtsilä to install world’s largest marine battery hybrid system on Wasaline ferry

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The project will increase the ship’s battery capacity by 10.4 MWh, from 2.2 MWh to 12.6 MWh, making it the world’s largest marine battery hybrid system in operation. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in Q3 2025.

In the transition to more sustainable ferry transportation, hybrid propulsion systems have emerged as a compelling solution, offering a multitude of pathways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These systems, which combine energy storage capabilities with conventional engines, can significantly cut fuel consumption and, consequently, emissions.

The Aurora Botnia ferry, which is operated by Wasaline, is equipped with dual-fuel engines and batteries and is using biogas and batteries for the propulsion. Expanding its battery capacity is a major step in making the ship even more sustainable.  Wärtsilä will lead the integration project and as a result, the battery capacity of the ferry will be extended by 10.4MWh. Wärtsilä will also deliver the Energy Management System, as well as upgrade the power drives and the control system integration. The system is scheduled to be commissioned in early 2026.

“Wasaline’s commitment to decarbonised shipping operations is central to everything we do,” says Peter Ståhlberg, Managing Director – Wasaline. “In this, our close cooperation with Wärtsilä is an essential element that benefits not only both our companies, and we can see that our cooperation sets standards for the whole marine sector. Through our continued collaboration, the ‘Aurora Botnia’ has become a working example of what is possible when it comes to delivering environmentally friendly transportation within shipping.”

This latest project will strengthen the existing collaboration agreement between Wärtsilä and Wasaline, with the Aurora Botnia acting as a floating testlab linked to Wärtsilä’s Sustainable Technology Hub. It allows further development of hybrid technologies to optimise fuel efficiency and minimise exhaust emissions. As a result, the vessel is one of the most environmentally sustainable ferries in the world, operating carbon neutrally already today.

“Wasaline once again demonstrates its strong commitment to decarbonisation by extending the electrification capacity of this ferry. Our latest contribution will optimise the ship’s operations even further, creating fuel savings and a significant reduction in emissions,” comments Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine & Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation.

The Aurora Botnia, which entered into service in 2021, operates with a range of integrated Wärtsilä solutions, including four highly efficient Wärtsilä 31DF engines. The ultra-low emissions version of the engine has helped the ferry to significantly reduce methane emissions. The ferry operates between Vaasa in Finland and Umeå, Sweden.

Corvus Energy battery system powers Latin America’s first electric tugboat

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The first electric tugboat in Latin America, the result of a collaboration between the largest towage services operator in the Americas, SAAM, and Chilean national oil company, Enap, is powered by a lithium-ion marine battery system from Corvus Energy.

Based on an exclusive design from naval architects Robert Allan Ltd (RAL) and built by SANMAR Shipyards for SAAM, the battery-electric tug supports ship berthing and deberthing maneuvers in one of the southernmost terminals in the world—Puerto Chacabuco in the Aysén Region of Chile in South America.

The battery-powered vessel, named “Trapananda” in honor of the Chilean Patagonia region where the tug operates, measures 25 meters in length, 13 meters in beam and boasts 70 tons of bollard pull capacity, enabling it to assist large vessels under challenging harbor conditions.

SAAM, including its division SAAM Towage, operates more than 200 tugboats around the Americas. Notably, the Trapananda is the third battery-electric tug to join the SAAM fleet. In May 2024, SAAM launched two electric tugboats in the Port of Vancouver in Canada, making SAAM among the first zero-emission tug operators in North America. All three tugs are RAL-designed, SANMAR Shipyards-built and equipped with a Corvus Energy battery system.

According to SAAM, battery-powered tugboats are an important part of the Company’s 2030 Sustainability Strategy, which includes a goal to neutralize 65% of greenhouse gas emissions from the operation of their fleet through reduction and offsetting initiatives. (Source).

Fully battery-powered operations produce zero emissions and are almost completely silent. This results in significant environmental benefits, including reduced carbon footprint and less noise pollution, both in port and underwater, protecting coastal communities and marine life alike. Compared to diesel-powered tugs, electric tugboats also offer operational advantages including reduced fuel and maintenance costs.

After its first year operating electric tugs in Canada, SAAM reported its “carbon intensity index had fallen 72% compared to diesel-powered units with similar features, and a further 90% reduction was projected for the second year of operation. In addition, the electric tugs’ operating costs were reported to be 70% lower than its diesel-powered peers.” (Source).

The Trapananda is equipped with a Corvus Orca ESS, the most installed marine energy storage system, used onboard over 700 maritime vessels worldwide. Like the SAAM electric-powered tugs operating in Vancouver, the Trapananda is outfitted with a 3,616-kWh capacity battery system.

“We are proud to support SAAM, RAL and SANMAR by supplying the battery system for the first electric tugboat to operate in Latin America, as well as for the Vancouver-based tugs,” said Tor-Gunnar Hovig, Head of Region Americas at Corvus Energy. He adds, “SAAM is leading the way towards more sustainable port operations in the Americas and beyond with these RAL-designed, SANMAR-built tugs.”

“The arrival of the Trapananda is a turning point for our industry. It signals our decisive move toward cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally friendly operations. This project represents our vision for the future: we’re developing solutions that not only assist and tow ships but also help mobilize a shift toward a truly sustainable logistics chain. We consider Corvus a strategic partner in this journey,” said Pablo Cáceres, Sustainability and Development Director of SAAM Towage.

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