Tue 30 Jan 2018, 13:22 GMT

Rolls-Royce to upgrade six PSVs with battery power


Deal includes option for a further two offshore vessels.


Rolls-Royce's UT 771 WP design incorporates a fuel-saving, wave-piercing bow.
Image credit: Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Commercial Marine has received an order to deliver a battery-powered energy system for six offshore platform supply vessels (PSVs) which have been built by the yard Cosco Guangdong in China.

The delivery includes the energy storage container system (ESSU); an upgrade of the existing Rolls-Royce ship design engineering package to match the new features; an upgrade of the Dynamic Positioning system (DP) and the ACON control system; and the new Rolls-Royce Energy Monitoring system, which will provide a complete overview of energy usage onboard.

Recently Seacor Marine Holding announced that they have entered a joint venture with China Cosco Shipping Group. The new venture, Seacosco, has taken over eight offshore vessels which today are laid up by the yard.

The ships were ordered in 2013 and 2014 and their new owners have now decided to give six of the Rolls-Royce designed vessels an environmental upgrade, with an option for a further two.

The vessels are of Rolls-Royce UT 771 WP design, and have the characteristic wave-piercing bow. The bow is designed to reduce wave resistance during rough conditions, resulting in a smoother ride than traditional designs, reduced fuel consumption and increased onboard safety.

In addition to having provided the ship design, Rolls-Royce also originally delivered an extensive package of ship equipment and systems to the vessels now being prepared for an environmental upgrade. This new order for six offshore vessels - with an option for further two - follows deliveries or orders for battery systems for seven other vessels.

Louisiana-headquartered Seacor will take full operational responsibility for the vessels and add them to their current fleet.

Earlier this month, Seacor's president, chief executive officer and director, John Gellert, had said in a statement: "Combining a proven and advanced design, best in category accommodations, and the innovative Rolls-Royce battery system, these vessels will be highly marketable across all major offshore energy regions worldwide."

Asbjorn Skaro, Director Digital & Systems - Commercial Marine, Rolls-Royce, remarked: "We are looking forward to seeing these great vessels in operation and invested in for the future. These are advanced and modern ships, and we strongly believe that the new energy system on board will make them stand out from the crowd in the market. They will receive an upgrade that benefits both the environment and the economic efficiency of the ships."


Petrobras logo. Petrobras suspends MGO export sales following Brazilian government’s 50% export tax  

State oil company halts distillate fuel exports while assessing impact of new levy.

The LNG bunkering vessel Alisios LNG. Scale Green Energy launches 12,500-cbm LNG bunkering vessel in Spain  

Alisios LNG will supply marine fuel from the Huelva plant, chartered by Axpo Iberia.

The pure car and truck carrier Tourmaline Ace. Piraeus port signs LNG-fuelled car carrier deal with MOL  

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' LNG-powered vessel made inaugural call at Greek port on 10 March.

Hydrogen ship render. DNV study recommends design-based safety approach for hydrogen-fuelled vessels  

Study for EMSA calls for secondary enclosures across all hydrogen components, including open deck.

The pure car and truck carrier Grande Seoul. Grimaldi takes delivery of ammonia-ready car carrier Grande Seoul  

Ninth vessel in series joins fleet for Asia-Europe service with 50% lower emissions.

Photograph of Oğuz Yazici, Country Manager at Oilmar DMCC. Oilmar appoints Turkey country manager as part of regional expansion  

Dubai-based bunker and cargo trader promotes from within to lead Turkish operations.

Photograph of the GNV Aurora ferry's first LNG bunkering in Genoa, in March 2026, with delivery tanker Green Zeebrugge alongside. GNV Aurora completes first LNG bunkering in Genoa  

GNV's second LNG-powered ferry receives fuel in Italian port, with a shore power trial scheduled.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) logo. MOL acquires 25% stake in V.Ships France, adds LNG carriers to managed fleet  

Japanese shipping company takes equity position in ship manager’s French subsidiary.

Equinor logo. Equinor signs two-year biomethanol supply deal with Wallenius Wilhelmsen  

Norwegian energy company to supply alternative fuel to shipping and vehicle logistics firm.

Phograph of Shanghai skyline with Oriental Pearl Tower in centre. Sing Fuels seeks bunker trader for new Shanghai base  

Candidates with two to four years’ industry experience and an established client portfolio preferred.