Louis Dreyfus Armateurs has announced the order of two crew transfer vessels (CTVs) from Strategic Marine in Singapore, expanding its fleet to seven craft by early 2025. This decision comes amidst a surge in offshore wind farm projects in France, with ongoing developments and future expansions driving increased demand for specialized maritime services during construction and commissioning phases.
LD Tide, a joint venture between Louis Dreyfus Armateurs and Tidal Transit, currently manages a fleet of five CTVs, three of which are dedicated to servicing the St-Nazaire offshore wind farm for EDF EN and GE Vernova. Another vessel, Acti'Vent, supports maintenance operations at the Fécamp offshore wind farm for Siemens Gamesa, while Esti'Vent operates in the spot market, supporting various offshore wind farm installations.
The newly ordered CTVs will be sister ships to the Esti'Vent and Acti'Vent, based on the high-specification StratCat 27 model designed to accommodate 24 passengers with a focus on safety, performance, and onboard comfort. This design is renowned for its robust and reliable platform, essential for the demanding conditions of offshore operations.
Gael Cailleaux, Managing Director of Renewables at Louis Dreyfus Armateurs, highlighted the strategic significance of the expansion, stating, “These new orders are part of the strategy to expand our Offshore Renewables business in France and Europe. We are anticipating the future needs of the rapidly evolving French offshore wind industry.”
