Manor Renewable Energy’s two StratCat 27 (SC27) crew transfer vessels (CTVs) have passed sea trials, said Strategic Marine, the Singaporean shipbuilder that built the vessel.
The CTVs, ordered a few months ago, will soon be delivered to Manor Renewable Energy (MRE) after which they will support the company’s offshore operations in the UK, Europe, and Asia.
The new additions to the MRE’s offshore support fleet will each be 27 metres in length and capable of carrying up to 30 passengers.
During sea trials, the CTVs exceeded expectations in performance with a 0.5 knot or two per cent speed increase compared with a StratCat 26 design featuring the same fixed pitch propeller (FPP) propulsion system, Strategic Marine said.
According to the manufacturer, the increased efficiency reduces fuel burn and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by five per cent at the same speed.
Due to hull form optimisation and propeller efficiency, the vessels also achieved a 15 per cent increase in bollard push, the shipbuilder said.
Other notable improvements include a 30 per cent increase in internal volume, which resulted in a significant improvement in technician comfort and quality, according to Strategic Marine.
The CTVs are the first in the builder’s new SC27 range, designed in collaboration with UK-based BMT and unveiled in April 2021.
The SC27 is an evolution of StratCat 26 which is said to offer enhanced vessel capabilities with a reduced environmental footprint and hybrid drive options.