UK-based HST Marine (HST), an 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 naval architect Chartwell Marine. HST Ella is the first hybrid Chartwell 24 vessel to hit the water, following her completion at Isle of Wight shipyard Diverse Marine.
Tom Nevin, CEO of HST, commented, “Modern crew transfer operations in offshore energy increasingly require proven vessels with a powerful presence on the water. At the same time, a futureproof 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.”
The HST Ella can attain transit speeds of 10kts on electric propulsion and 30kts on diesel. During port operations, the vessel’s electric operation mode allows for quiet, zero-emission low-speed maneuverability.
The propulsion system includes an electric motor that sits alongside a diesel engine to drive a high-performance changeable-pitch propeller (CPP) system. The system is coupled with an advanced hull form for reduced frictional resistance. Its use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO30) as fuel is claimed to be a market first for a new-build CTV.
The 26m vessel can carry 24 industrial personnel alongside a maximum payload of 15 tons. Following its launch, the HST Ella will begin its maiden contract at the East Anglia 1 (EA1) wind farm.
Andy Page, MD at Chartwell Marine, noted, “Designing for hybrid operations brings specific challenges, but our central philosophy is that we design with the vessel’s eventual operational profile front and center. We have been proud to work with Diverse Marine and HST to incorporate lessons learned from best-practice CTV operation into this vessel.”