Offshore crew transfer vessel (CTV) owner Tidal Transit has secured equity financing from maritime and logistics investor HICO Investment Group to expand its fleet with six new electric CTVs (E-CTVs).
Electric transition strategy
The six new-builds, to be delivered from 2026, will complement Tidal Transit’s existing fleet of ‘electric frontrunner’ CTVs while the industry transitions to electric. To help accelerate this transition, the company is also spearheading a landmark diesel-to-electric retrofit project (e-Ginny) funded by Innovate UK and the UK Department of Transport, to prove that existing diesel CTVs can be converted to 100% electric power and recharged offshore.
This expansion is a direct response to the growing demand for zero-emission CTV solutions from offshore wind operations, and reinforces the commitment of Tidal Transit and HICO to reduce diesel dependency in the sector.
Tidal Transit highlighted that E-CTVs offer lower emissions, greater energy efficiency, lower operating costs and greater comfort for personnel than conventional diesel-powered vessels. Wind farm operators are expected to benefit from alignment with science-backed emissions goals, lower maintenance downtime, the leveraging of electricity from their own wind farms and greater comfort from the near-silent and vibration-free propulsion.
Aligning sustainability goals
Leo Hambro, director of Tidal Transit, stated, “The offshore wind industry has reached a transition moment where the green electricity produced can be efficiently used to propel the vessels that service it. The continued burning of fossil fuels contradicts the very purpose of harnessing renewable wind power. With HICO’s backing, Tidal Transit is committed to making the switch to electric CTVs not just viable but also inevitable. The offshore wind industry has a responsibility to its stakeholders and consumers to make this step and actively embrace the rapid decarbonization of the supply chain.
“Built together with our network of marine and engineering partners, these six new E-CTVs mark the world’s first fleet of multifunctional electric CTVs and a major milestone in our journey toward the electrification of offshore wind.”
Chris Hartnoll, CEO of HICO Investment Group, added, “Tidal Transit’s vision to electrify offshore wind is exactly the kind of bold, transformative innovation that HICO is committed to backing. This fleet expansion is an industry first; it’s a defining moment for the maritime sector, proving that large-scale electrification of offshore service vessels is no longer a distant aspiration but an operational reality. This milestone will accelerate a fundamental shift across the industry, unlocking new standards of sustainability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. We’re proud to support Tidal Transit as they lead the charge in setting a new benchmark for zero-emission offshore energy logistics.”
In related news, RINA recently granted approval in principle (AiP) to Green Marine UK’s maritime initiative aiming to retrofit crew transfer vessels (CTVs) with hydrogen, fuel cells and batteries to cut emissions while servicing offshore wind farms. Click here to read the full story.