Työvene, the Finnish shipbuilder and a part of the Nordic Yards Group, has secured a milestone order for three hybrid-ready Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) from Maritime Craft Services (MCS), a leading Scottish company. This order marks Työvene's foray into the offshore wind industry, opening new horizons in vessel design and operation.
The SWATH design, characterized by twin hulls and exceptional seaworthiness, is engineered to minimize ship motion and enhance stability. Työvene explained that by reducing the vessel's volume near the water's surface, where waves exert the most force, the SWATH design significantly reduces the impact of high seas on the vessel, whether operating at high speeds or idling.
Menno Kuyt, Commercial Director at MCS and operator of two SWATH units, emphasized the advantages of the SWATH design, stating, “The major advantage of the SWATH design and its superior response to high seas is that the vessel can operate up to an extra 100 days a year compared to a conventional catamaran that has to stay in port in rough weather. Industry-wide a SWATH is regarded as the best seakeeping and safest CTV on the market.”
Maritime Craft Services, with a history dating back to 1976, has demonstrated a pioneering spirit by configuring its operations for the economic deployment of SWATH CTVs. This strategic approach positions MCS as a frontrunner in harnessing the benefits of this innovative vessel design for offshore operations.
The first of Työvene's SWATH CTVs is slated for delivery to Maritime Craft Services in the spring of 2025. This strategic partnership between a Finnish shipbuilder and a Scottish offshore service provider not only marks a significant milestone for both companies but also enhances the efficiency and safety of offshore wind operations in the North Sea and beyond.
