News
First hybrid Chartwell 24 vessel designed and built in Hampshire
Monday August 16th, 2021
HST Marine (HST), an innovative offshore vessel operator that supports the offshore wind energy and oil and gas industries worldwide, has taken delivery of HST Ella, a new hybrid crew transfer vessel (CTV) designed by pioneering naval architect Chartwell Marine.
HST Ella is the first hybrid Chartwell 24 vessel to hit the water, following her completion at local Isle of Wight shipyard Diverse Marine.
The 26-metre vessel can carry 24 people alongside a payload of 15 tonnes. It can travel at 30 knots on diesel power and 10 knots on electric propulsion, allowing for quiet and zero-emission manoeuvrability in port. It has an electric motor sitting alongside a diesel engine and uses hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO30) as fuel, which is a first for a new-build crew transfer vessel (CTV).
Tom Nevin, chief executive of HST Marine, said: “Modern crew transfer operations in offshore energy increasingly require proven vessels with a powerful presence on the water. At the same time, a future-proof fleet consists of vessels with strong green credentials as the goal of emissions reduction continues to move up the agenda.
“Rapidly maturing hybrid technology means that environmental consciousness can sit hand in hand with operational excellence, and in the HST Ella, we have a vessel that delivers both, following a consultative design process with Chartwell Marine, and a high-quality build at Diverse Marine.”
Ben Colman, director of Diverse Marine, said: “The UK is rightly proud of its world leading maritime industry, and with this market first hybrid CTV, designed and built on the south coast, we are proud to add to a long record of maritime innovation in this country. As we hand over the keys to the HST team, we wish them all the best as they take the HST Ella to charter to support safe, efficient wind farm operations.”
Andy Page, managing director of Chartwell Marine, said: “HST Marine have committed to the build of a further hybrid vessel commencing build in Hampshire in September 2021. In addition to this HST have committed to another two hybrid highly innovative vessels designed by BAR Technologies (Portsmouth) in collaboration with Chartwell Marine (Southampton). Hampshire and the Isle of Wight companies are leading the way in offshore wind innovations.”
