Hydrogen-ready crew transfer vessel strengthens FRS Windcat’s fleet with improved transfer capability, greater comfort and future-proof propulsion
German crew transfer vessel (CTV) operator FRS Windcat Offshore Logistics GmbH has taken delivery of Windcat 65, the latest addition to its expanding offshore wind support fleet.
The vessel is the fourth of Windcat’s new MK5 series, a next-generation design that combines the proven performance of the MK3.5 platform with the enhanced capabilities of the larger MK4 class. Developed to meet the evolving demands of offshore wind operations, the MK5 delivers improved transfer performance, greater operational efficiency and enhanced onboard comfort.
At 27.4 metres in length, the MK5-class CTV features a flush forward working deck, an optimised hull form and increased freeboard to improve seakeeping and passenger comfort in demanding offshore conditions. The vessel accommodates up to 24 passengers and three crew, with a service speed exceeding 25 knots and a maximum speed of 30 knots.
Operational efficiency has also been prioritised. The combination of Servogear’s Controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) system and the optimised hull design delivers lower fuel consumption, precise manoeuvrability and reliable performance during offshore personnel transfers.
Looking ahead, sustainability has been integrated into the vessel’s design. Windcat 65, along with the remaining three vessels in the series, has been built hydrogen-ready. Its MAN engines and onboard systems are prepared for future conversion to hydrogen fuel, enabling operators to transition towards zero-emission propulsion as the technology and fuel infrastructure mature.
Construction of the four-vessel series combined Polish and Dutch shipbuilding expertise, with hulls fabricated by Alu-International Shipyard in Gdańsk before final outfitting at Dok-en-Scheepsbouw Woudsend and Neptune Marine in Hardinxveld, the Netherlands.
