Bibby Marine orders eCSOV at new shipyard

Bibby Marine has signed a shipbuilding contract with the Spanish Armon shipyard for its new electric commissioning service operation vessel (eCSOV) following what the UK vessel owner says was “an amicable move away” from the Gondan shipyard, also based in Spain, with which Bibby Marine signed the initial eCSOV contract in the spring of 2024.

The eCSOV, which Bibby Marine designed in collaboration with the UK-based vessel designer Longitude, will feature a battery system complemented by dual-fuel methanol engines for emissions-free operations.

With the capability to operate solely on battery power for a typical full day of operations, the range of the vessel will allow for passage from field to port and return, the owner of the future vessel says. Among other things, the eCSOV design also incorporates digitalization and AI to maintain and improve its efficiency over its life.

Prior to the new contract with Armon, located in Vigo, Bibby Marine ordered the vessel at Gondan’s Asturias shipyard in Spain, on which the two parties have now amicably parted ways, according to information Bibby Marine shared in a press release on January 14.

Bibby Marine CEO, Nigel Quinn, said: “We are thrilled to be working alongside our new partners Armon and move to the next stage of our project. The delivery of this vessel will bring our clean vision to life, confident it will mean significant advancements to our industry.”

According to the company, the new eCSOV is the world’s first truly zero-emission commissioning service operation vessel.

“The complexity of the eCSOV underscores its importance, not only as a technological challenge but as a statement of commitment to a cleaner and greener future”, Armon CEO, Laudelino Alperi, said.

“At Armon, we have been deeply focused on developing solutions that significantly reduce emissions, and this vessel allows us to further demonstrate the expertise we have built in this critical area. While ambitious, we feel confident that our vast experience, coupled with our advanced facilities and skilled team, will enable us to deliver a vessel that sets new benchmarks for efficiency, sustainability, and innovation in the offshore wind industry.”

The eCSOV is a project that is part of the Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) scheme, funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK. ZEVI is part of the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) program, an initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonize the UK domestic maritime sector.