American Offshore Services announced today that it will build four 99' hybrid ready crew transfer vessels (CTVs). When built, the vessels will be the first hybrid ready CTVs to operate in the U.S., AOS said.
Blount Boats, Warren, R.I, will build and deliver the vessels in 2023-2024. All four CTVs will immediately go to work servicing U.S. offshore wind farm projects. AOS is a CTV operator owned by SEA.O.G Offshore and Northern Offshore Services (NOS). With its fleet of CTVs, AOS will serve the emerging offshore wind industry in the U.S.
"We are excited to build this next generation of CTVs for AOS," Marcia Blount, president of Blount Boats said. "A hybrid-ready CTV is a fitting addition to the new and growing offshore wind industry in the United States, and we are proud to be a part of it in such a vital way."
The 99' new generation G-class CTVs are based on an NOS high-efficiency, maximum-performance design.The new twin-hull CTVs will be powered by four Volvo Penta IPS900 propulsion drives, two in each hull. The fully integrated system will also include Volvo Penta’s GPS-based dynamic positioning system and integrated joystick controls, allowing for convenient and easy maneuverability even in conditions of strong currents and high waves. All subsystems will be connected by Volvo Penta’s electronic vessel control (EVC) data network.
“The decision to specify the Volvo Penta quad IPS for these four newbuilds was based in part on NOS’ operational experience with IPS-powered CTVs servicing wind farms in Europe,” said James Clouse, CEO of AOS. “Proven reliability is an important concern for these hard-working service craft, and Volvo Penta’s reputation for dependable products is well known in the industry.”
AOS also announced today that it has signed its first U.S. contracts.
Starting in 2023, AOS said it will provide CTVs and equipment to four different wind farms on the U.S. East Coast during the construction phase.
“The hard work we all have put in together has resulted in our first won contracts,” David Kristensson, owner of NOS, said in a statement. "The first contract in a new market is always something special and I cannot wait for what happens tomorrow and the day after that."
AOS was founded in 2020 when NOS and SEA.O.G entered into a joint venture. The companies combined their skills — with NOS being the most-recognized CTV operator in Europe and SEA. O.G being a successful offshore services provider in the U.S. — to create a CTV operator powerhouse, the company said.
“American Offshore Services is the next step in our company’s journey. We are grateful to have met a partner in whom we share our values and way of thinking when it comes to shipping, business, and the future,” Kristensson said. Contract details were not disclosed.
NOS is a provider and operator of CTVs in the European market and is a part of Northern Offshore Group. Northern Offshore Group operates about 65 vessels and offers a complete set of onshore technical and commercial management services. The company has offices in Gothenburg, Sweden; Copenhagen, Denmark; Hamburg, Germany; and Lowestoft and Conwy in the UK. The group consists of several well-established, privately owned companies that operate in the marine industry.
SEA.O.G Offshore is a U.S.-based integrated solutions provider for the renewables industry. With offices in New Bedford, Conn., and Houston, the company supports logistics and supply chain marine operations for wind turbine manufactures and international offshore contractors. As one of the members of the Crosby family of companies, the group operates over 130 inland and offshore tugs providing services ranging from engineered project cargo logistics to subsea rock placement, and more.
