Work on the Windcat 61 and Windcat 62 vessels at the Alu International Shipyard in Gdańsk is progressing, and FRS Windcat Polska has announced that both units are now on the water. These vessels will be used for crew and material transfers on Polish offshore wind energy projects. Both units are expected to be operational in the second half of 2025.

Windcat 61 and Windcat 62 are ships from the MK5 series, designed by Windcat. According to the company, the latest series of vessels has been designed to meet the evolving needs and demands of the offshore wind industry. They feature a larger cargo deck compared to previous series, along with additional maritime and transfer capabilities.

The MK5 project was developed based on experience gained from building and operating the earlier MK3.5H2 and MK4 series. The new units are larger, with a length of 27.4 meters and a width of 8.8 meters. The flat foredeck has an area of 80m². Furthermore, the hull shape has been optimized to ensure greater comfort for passengers and crew, while also increasing the marine capabilities needed to operate on larger and more distant offshore wind farms.

Windcat 61 and Windcat 62 also feature optimized maritime capabilities and a larger cargo space of 70m², along with enlarged hydrogen storage tanks onboard. Importantly, their design allows for both MGO (marine gas oil) and hydrogen to be used as a power source, which is a significant development. The vessels are designed to carry up to 458kg of hydrogen on board or can be made "hydrogen ready," enabling the retrofit of a hydrogen system at a later stage. Utilizing hydrogen will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to the eco-friendly propulsion, both units are equipped with Windcat’s patented WindGrip system, enhancing safety during transfers and reducing fuel consumption.

Founded in 2018, FRS Windcat Polska is part of the FRS and Windcat alliance: FRS Windcat. The company has over 21 years of experience in the offshore wind industry and operates nearly 60 crew transfer vessels (CTV) across Europe. In recent years, a local team responsible for the company’s development and operations in Poland has been established. The company has also started training highly qualified sailors on its vessels within the European fleet.