Bibby Marine has laid the keel for what it says will be the world’s first zero-emissions commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV), marking a step forward in efforts to decarbonise the offshore wind industry.
The keel-laying ceremony took place at the Armon Shipyard in Vigo, Spain, for the 6,700 gross-tonne vessel, which will operate on a hybrid methanol and battery-electric power system. The vessel is designed to support offshore wind farm commissioning and maintenance with minimal environmental impact.
“This vessel is more than a feat of engineering – it’s a symbol of our values as a business, in action,” said Jonathan Lewis, chief executive of Bibby Line Group. “We began work on zero-emissions vessels back in 2019, long before it was mainstream.”
Lewis commemorated the occasion by welding a coin dated 1807 — the year of the company’s founding — into the keel plates of the vessel, a maritime tradition symbolising good fortune for the ship and its crew.
Once in service in 2027, the e-CSOV will be capable of supporting up to 120 personnel and delivering zero-emission commissioning and operations and maintenance (O&M) services for periods of up to 30 days offshore.
Bibby Marine said the vessel will contribute to significant reductions in fuel use and emissions in the offshore sector. The project includes equipment supplied by maritime technology companies Kongsberg, Corvus Energy, and Wartsila.
“As we lay the keel for our electric-first vessel, we are proud to be proving that clean, sustainable maritime solutions are not only possible, but essential,” Lewis added.
The initiative forms part of Bibby Marine’s broader strategy to invest in low-carbon maritime infrastructure, reflecting a growing push across the offshore wind industry to reduce lifecycle emissions and meet evolving environmental targets.
