Damen breaks more boundaries in eco-friendly CTV design
Damen Shipyards Group unveiled its latest eco-friendly CTV at Seawork – the fully electric Fast Crew Supplier (FCS) 3210 E.
For Damen, the vessel represents the next step forward in crew transfer solutions, paving the way to zero emissions transportation of crew and cargo to offshore locations. It’s also future proofed for methanol.
“The FCS 3210 E applies the lessons learned in our development of a number of fully electric vessels,” Wim Boerma, product manager high speed craft, Damen, told Maritime Journal.
”But it is also classed approved for methanol, which we believe will make sense for smaller commercial vessels into the future. So we are future proofing the FCS 3210 for tomorrow’s CTV operations.”
Step forward
Damen has developed the FCS 3210 in response to feedback from the market calling for a larger crew transfer vessel future proofed for the use of alternative fuels.
Mr Boerma said that the challenge of preparing vessels for alternative propulsion often lies in knowing what fuels will be available and affordable in the future.
For a vessel such as this he said, operating a predictable route to a location with an abundance of clean energy, the methanol solution is sensible.
The design is based on Damen’s successful FCS 2710. It features the same combination of Damen’s Axe Bow hull shape with a rounded tunnel maximised comfort, reduced wet deck slamming and minimal resistance in the water.
But with the increased length, this effect is even further pronounced ensuring increased uptime.
Aft, the FCS 3210 offers increased space for a larger deckhouse and more deck capacity.
The vessel features a full electrical Volvo IPS system, enabling it to sail exclusively on battery power. With this, the FCS 3210 E is able to sail at high speeds to offshore windfarms up to 25 nautical miles from shore. On arrival, it will recharge at a charging system integrated to a turbine, substation or SOV before returning to shore.
For the future, and to provide operators with the flexibility to operate the FCS 3210 at locations farther from shore, Damen has also developed a full methanol propulsion version.
When methanol engine technology reached maturity, the FCS 3210 Hybrid is fully prepared for a fast, cost-efficient conversion.
Damen has already received an order for three diesel-electric versions from Purus.
