Ship & Boat BuildingCrew Transfer VesselsNYK Deliver Crew Transfer Vessel for Ishikari Bay New Port Offshore Wind...

NYK Deliver Crew Transfer Vessel for Ishikari Bay New Port Offshore Wind Farm

On July 5 at Ishikari Bay New Port, NYK delivered Rera As, an NYK-owned crew transfer vessel (CTV) to Siemens Gamesa, a global wind turbine manufacturer that constructs, operates, and maintains offshore wind power generation facilities at Ishikari Bay New Port. In accordance with a time-charter contract with Siemens Gamesa, the NYK Group’s Hokuyo Kaiun Co. Ltd. will manage and operate the vessel. In July, the CTV will begin transporting workers involved in maintenance for offshore wind power generation facilities. This vessel is the first CTV owned and operated by the NYK Group and is the largest gross tonnage CTV currently in operation in Japan (according to NYK research).

The vessel has been certified by ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) to comply with the ISM Code, which confirms that the vessel has established a ship safety management system meeting international standards. The CTV also received a “Wind Farm Support Vessel (WFV)” notation, which recognizes that the vessel is fully equipped with facilities and manuals necessary for the safe transportation of workers. This ship is the first domestic CTV to be recognized as a WFV.

The vessel was completed in Singapore in April, and its flag was changed to Japan after equipment modifications, such as fenders and radio equipment and other inspections at the Oppama factory of Keihin Dock Co. Ltd.

The CTV is receiving technical and commercial support from Northern Offshore Service (NOS, Sweden), a subsidiary of Northern Offshore Group AB (NOG), one of the largest CTV operators in Europe and with which NYK has partnered. The ship arrived at Ishikari Bay New Port on June 27 after a series of training sessions in Hokkaido, including ship operation and classroom lectures, under the guidance of a captain dispatched by NOS. On June 28, a commemoration ceremony for the vessel’s arrival at Ishikari Bay New Port was attended by about 40 guests, including Ishikari City Mayor Tatsuyuki Kato.

NYK named the vessel Rera As (meaning “wind blows”), derived from the Ainu language and registered in Ishikari, based on the belief that the Ainu culture, which values nature, is highly compatible with the philosophy of promoting renewable energy. The NYK Group will use this project as a foothold for further development in Japan’s offshore wind power generation business, which is expected to expand in the future.

Features of the Vessel

  1. This vessel is the first vessel in Japan to adopt BareFLEET, an operational monitoring system specialized for CTVs developed by Reygar, a British marine equipment manufacturer. This system makes it possible to comprehensively collect and analyze data on the vessel’s movements, fuel consumption, equipment status, etc., and check it both on board and ashore.
  2. To realize an uninterrupted communication environment even at sea, the vessel was the first in Japan to adopt the high-speed Internet service provided by SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation and NTT World Engineering Marine Corporation. This service enables 4G communications in areas close to land and high-speed satellite communications in remote ocean areas, contributing to an improved work environment and welfare for seafarers.
  3. The vessel is equipped with NOG’s patented high grip fender that is utilized on NOG’s vessels in Europe. These fenders increase the frictional force when the vessel presses against the wind turbine’s prop, stabilizing the ship. The fenders also increase stability during worker transfers, directly contributing to safe transport.
From left, Ishikari City Mayor Tatsuyuki Kato, NYK Executive Officer Tsutomu Yokoyama, NYK Managing Executive Officer Hironobu Watanabe, and NYK Managing Executive Officer Hisaya Higuchi during the CTV commemoration ceremony

Outline of Vessel Specifications

Length overall: 27.10 m
Breadth: 9.00 m
Passenger capacity: 12 persons
Shipyard: PT Kim Seah Shipyard Indonesia, a subsidiary of Penguin Shipyard International

The NYK Group has launched its new “NYK GREEN EARTH” brand to emphasize the Group’s ESG efforts to create new value initiatives for low carbon and decarbonization through green businesses, such as those related to offshore wind power generation. The Group will encourage new value creation as a sustainable solution provider to strongly promote ESG management.

Latest News

Trakka Systems has secured a purchase order from Poland’s Maritime Search and Rescue Service (MSPiR) for TrakkaCam TC-300M-E gyro-stabilised imaging systems, with the first two units already delivered for deployment aboard vessels operating in the Baltic Sea.

TrakkaCam Systems Enhances Poland’s Baltic Sea SAR

TrakkaCam Systems imaging technology is being integrated onto Kewatec-built vessels for Poland’s national maritime SAR service Trakka Systems has secured a purchase order from Poland’s...
GONDAN Shipbuilders has launched the 513 OESV (Ocean Energy Support Vessel), at its Figueras facility in Spain, marking the largest vessel built by the shipyard to date. The vessel has been constructed for Norwegian shipowner Østensjø Rederi A/S and was designed by Norwegian naval architecture and marine engineering firm Salt Ship Design. The vessel features advanced engineering and an operationally optimised design for marine energy applications.

GONDAN Launches OESV for Østensjø Rederi

513 OESV is GONDAN’s largest vessel to date, built for the offshore energy market GONDAN Shipbuilders has launched the 513 OESV (Ocean Energy Support Vessel),...
Aesen has announced the introduction of the Aesen 116H, a next-generation hybrid crew boat designed to meet the evolving operational requirements of offshore personnel transportation and infield logistics.

Aesen Unveils Next-Generation Hybrid Fast Crew Boat

Singapore-based owner Aesen takes delivery of Aesen 116H, a new hybrid crew boat designed for high-frequency offshore operations Aesen has announced the introduction of the...
Kongsberg Maritime has signed an agreement with Austal Defence Defence Australia, a subsidiary of Austal Ltd, to supply Kamewa Steel Series waterjets for the Australian Army’s new Landing Craft Medium (LCM) fleet.

Kamewa Waterjets Selected for Australian LCM fleet

Kongsberg Maritime to supply four Kamewa Steel Series waterjets for each of 18 Austal-built Landing Craft Medium vessels Kongsberg Maritime has signed an agreement with...

Related news