High Speed Transfers orders hybrid Chartwell 24 CTV

High Speed Transfers (HST) has awarded Chartwell Marine with a contract to design and deliver a new hybrid Chartwell 24 crew transfer vessel (CTV).

The vessel, which will provide dedicated support for the offshore wind sector, is set to be built locally in the UK by Isle of Wight yard Diverse Marine, which was awarded the build contract following a competitive global tender process.

Andy Page, Managing Director, Chartwell Marine, said: “We are excited to be working with HST and Diverse Marine to bring this innovative hybrid CTV to market, maintaining the collaborative approach that has fed into the evolution of the Chartwell 24 design to date. As the drive towards greener operations gains momentum, it is important that we tackle the emissions challenge head on, without losing sight of the key attributes that define effective offshore wind vessel support.”

The new hybrid Chartwell 24 design is the product of extensive R&D and ongoing dialogue with HST and Diverse Marine, alongside wind farm owners and the wider offshore supply chain, Chartwell Marine said.

It capitalises on these insights to address some of the most common operational and design challenges surrounding effective hybrid propulsion.

The catamaran’s hybrid propulsion system incorporates an electric motor alongside a diesel engine, which drives a high-performance changeable pitch propeller (CPP) system.

At low speeds, this allows for silent, zero-emissions operation, enabling the vessel to comply with port air quality requirements, the vessel designer said.

Tom Nevin, Chief Executive Officer, HST, said: “As our partnerships grow throughout new markets, we need to continue investing in our fleet in order to address unique demands, opportunities and emerging requirements. With the addition of this highly capable hybrid vessel, we’re confident that we can continue supporting technical innovation in important areas like emissions reduction, while adding significant value for our customers.”