Finning UK & Ireland, the world’s largest dealer of Cat® power solutions, has supplied the UK’s first commercially deployed Cat® C32B marine engines to Mainprize Offshore, a leading provider of offshore support services. The delivery of six high-performance Cat® C32B engines for Mainprize’s growing fleet of multi-role Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) and reinforces the company’s commitment to operational excellence in offshore energy operations.
The growth of Mainprize Offshore from two vessels in 2012 – to 11 in 2025 and more in production – reflects the growth of the wider offshore industry. Wind Europe’s survey of the wind energy industry, projects the offshore renewables industry will continue to grow rapidly, with the UK expected to maintain a leading role in the wind energy market into 2030.
To meet the increasing demands of the industry Mainprize Offshore continues to make significant investments in its fleet of Crew Transfer Vessels, which run daily trips to offshore windfarms delivering crew and supplies. High-performance engines are key to the efficiency and reliability of these specialist vessels, with the Cat C32B engines delivering a 25% increase in power compared to the Cat C32 which Mainprize Offshore successfully operates in earlier vessels.
Along with the increase in power density is the ability for Mainprize Offshore to operate in increased wave heights. The 1,600 bhp Cat C32 engines in the company’s MO1 through to MO8 vessels can maintain position at the turbine to allow engineers to safely transfer to ladders on the turbine structure at a significant wave height maximum of 1.75mHs. The increase in power from the Cat C32B now means vessels MO9 onwards, which have two Cat C32B engines operating at 2,000 bhp, now allow safe transfer at well over 2mHs significant wave height.
Bob Mainprize, Director at Mainprize Offshore was keen to invest in the C32B engines to allow the company’s fleet to operate in high wave height conditions.
He said: “In order to operate safe transfers in over 2m wave height it is vital to have a robust engine that can keep up with the daily demand of the fleet. We chose the C32B because we and our customers need reliability due to the vigorous working conditions our vessels are operated in.
“Thanks to the vessel’s advanced design features – including quality propellers and flow-aligned rudders – combined with the Cat C32B engines’ exceptional fuel efficiency, crews can achieve speeds of up to 26 knots using just 80% power while maintaining optimal fuel consumption.
“Not only is this important to our business but to the impact on the environment for our customers as we have all become increasingly focused on net-zero goals. We feel that by investing in these high-power and efficient engines we have gone a long way towards futureproofing our vessels ready for lower power zero carbon fuels.”
Gordon Dalrymple, Marine Sales Manager at Finning UK & Ireland was keen to support Mainprize Offshore in their progress and expansion plans.
He said: “Finning has been able to support the introduction of these new Cat C32B engines to meet the company’s operational demands.
“The growing fleet at Mainprize represents the first commercial use of the Cat C32B engines in the country and, while this is a significant investment for the company, the benefits to their business and their customers have been immediate.
“Being able to safely, reliably and efficiently operate in significant wave heights of over 2m means Mainprize Offshore can transfer windfarm maintenance engineers when other operators cannot. We are thrilled to see the commercial use of these engines producing tangible results for our customers, and we are looking forward to continuing our strong relationship with the team as their operation and the offshore industry continues to thrive.”
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