Windcat’s first CSOV launched in the water

CMB.TECH and our offshore wind supply company Windcat, in partnership with Damen Shipyards, are proud to announce the launch in the water of the first of six Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (CSOV). This milestone marks the beginning of Windcat’s ‘Elevation Series,’ a fleet of advanced offshore wind farm maintenance and support vessels designed with future-proof technology. This is a new vessel type in our fleet, specifically designed for offshore wind farm maintenance.

The launch ceremony took place on 12 October at Ha Long Shipyard in Vietnam, where Damen is constructing all six CSOVs. With the first vessel now in the water, Damen will proceed with outfitting and commissioning operations to prepare it for delivery in Q2 2025.

Willem Van Der Wel, Managing Director of Windcat, expressed his excitement: “We have been working with Damen towards this day for some years now and to see the first CSOV glide into the water was truly a special moment. We are excited for this first vessel to hit the water today and look forward to introducing this game-changing vessel to the world next year.”

The new CSOVs represent significant advancements in efficiency, performance, and comfort. The 87-meter long vessel is designed for optimal offshore performance, featuring various new technologies. It will accommodate up to 120 people on board, providing in-field technical and maintenance support for up to 30 days at a time. Special attention has been given to ensure comfortable living and working conditions for offshore personnel.

Joost van der Weiden, Damen Sales Manager Benelux, highlighted the vessel’s efficiency gains: “The hybrid-electric propulsion system coupled with an efficient power distribution system means that there will be no need to run a backup diesel generator and the vessel will never use more power than necessary. We have optimised the thruster configuration, enhancing dynamic positioning during transfer operations. These innovations are expected to substantially reduce fuel consumption and emissions.”

CMB.TECH is particularly proud of the vessel’s environmental impact. The Damen/Windcat/CMB.TECH cooperation has proactively addressed future fuel needs. Thanks to CMB.TECH’s dual fuel hydrogen technology, the entire series of six vessels will be capable of using hydrogen as a fuel, with the potential to increase hydrogen use as the energy market evolves.