SEACOR Plans Battery Power Conversion for Additional 4 PSVs
SEACOR Marine Holdings has declared its intention to transform four platform supply vessels (PSVs) to utilize hybrid battery power.
On Thursday, the company disclosed that it has finalized an agreement to procure energy storage systems needed for these modifications from Kongsberg Maritime AS.
The quartet of PSVs slated for this hybrid conversion includes SEACOR Ohio, SEACOR Alps, SEACOR Andes, and SEACOR Atlas. The commencement of the conversion process is scheduled for December 2024, with a projected completion by the second quarter of 2025. Following these conversions, more than half of SEACOR Marine’s PSVs will operate on hybrid systems.
This modification will entail the installation of a containerized Deckhouse Energy Storage System, along with the necessary switchboards and thruster control systems. Furthermore, the current Dynamic Positioning (DP) system on all four vessels will be replaced with a new Kongsberg Maritime K-Pos DP system.
The adoption of battery power is anticipated to diminish fuel consumption during DP operations by as much as 20%. Additionally, the upgrade will incorporate a shore connection feature, enabling the vessels to connect to the power grid while docked. This feature is expected to significantly decrease engine operation hours and diesel emissions.
James Poulton, Senior Vice President of Aftermarket Sales at Kongsberg Maritime, elucidated, “The key benefit of having battery power instantly available is to maintain the redundancy of the vessels’ power system, with less engines running. This is particularly useful when operating in DP mode, but also has its value in other operational modes.”
Furthermore, Kongsberg Maritime is set to augment the SEACOR Yangtze with the Deckhouse Energy Storage System in February 2024 at Ulsteinvik, Norway.
“Our decision to expand our hybrid fleet aligns with SEACOR Marine’s core values of innovation and environmental stewardship and builds upon our record of leadership in adopting green technologies in the maritime sector,” in a statement, John Gellert, SEACOR Marine's Chief Executive Officer, saidutive Officer. “SEACOR Marine was one of the first offshore operators to install battery hybrid systems, and this announcement marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to enhance operational efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of our fleet.”
The headline “SEACOR Marine’s Transition to Hybrid Power: Conversion of Four Vessels Begins in 2024” encapsulates this initiative.