![FRS Windcat Polska orders hydrogen CTVs from Polish shipyard - MarinePoland.com FRS Windcat Polska orders hydrogen CTVs from Polish shipyard - MarinePoland.com](https://www.marinepoland.com/zdjecia/artykul/2088/7000/1200x0/2/hydrocat.jpg)
Polish operator of crew transfer vessels, FRS Windcat Polska Sp. z o.o., will receive two CTVs (crew transfer vessels) from ALU International Ltd. with an option to deliver more vessels.
Established in 2018, FRS Windcat Polska
is part of the FRS and Windcat alliance: FRS Windcat. In total, the
company has over 21 years of experience in the offshore wind industry
and operates nearly 60 crew transfer vessels (CTVs) in Europe. In
recent years, a local team has been established to manage the
company’s development and operations in Poland. Additionally, the
company has already started training highly qualified seafarers on
ships in its European fleet. In line with the company's strategy, it
is logical to take the next step, which is to offer ships on the
market that are built in the Polish shipyard.
Project of a
ship that can use hydrogen
The ordered CTV's will be the
latest design created by Windcat called MK5. The design was created
based on the experience gained from the previous series MK3.5H2 and
MK4. The developed own ship design allows to offer a new, larger ship
with optimized seaworthiness and larger cargo space along with larger
hydrogen storage tanks on board. The ship will have a total length of
27 meters and a flat bow deck with an area of 80 m2. By optimizing
the shape of the hull, greater width and freeboard, the ship will
provide greater comfort, access and increase the seaworthiness needed
to work even on larger and more remote offshore wind farms.
Low fuel consumption was achieved
by focusing on the efficient configuration of the ship's propulsion
system and the shape of the hull with low resistance. The vessel can
be delivered with a fully installed hydrogen system, capable of
carrying up to 458kg of hydrogen on board, or as a “hydrogen ready”
vessel, enabling the vessel to be retrofitted with a hydrogen system
at a later date.
Made in Poland
Construction
of the two aluminium hulls began in April at the ALU International
shipyard in Gdańsk. The company has over 30 years of experience in
the construction of aluminium vessels and is a well-known specialist
in the production of various aluminium marine structures. The company
employs around 150 people at its 11,000m2 production facility in
Gdańsk. FRS Windcat Polska and ALU International have signed a
contract for the construction of two CTV's with the possibility of
ordering additional units at a later stage. The first two vessels
will be delivered in 2025.
– By ordering CTV's from the
Polish shipyard, we are demonstrating our commitment to delivering
high-quality vessels that are “Made in Poland” to serve the
growing offshore wind industry in Poland. We are glad that we have
found such an experienced partner as ALU International, which devotes
exceptional attention to ensuring high standards at all levels –
said Tim Kunstmann, Managing Director at FRS Windcat Polska.