Schoeller Holdings, a leading global shipping company, and Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt are proud to announce a strategic joint venture aimed at entering the rapidly expanding offshore energy market. As part of this collaboration, Schoeller Holdings has placed an order for four Construction Commissioning Service Operation Vessels (C-CSOVs) designed by Salt ship design, with CSSC Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, a member of the China State Shipbuilding Group. Delivery of the vessels is set to begin in early 2027.
Deutsche Offshore Schifffahrt was launched a year ago and is acting as commercial manager for the four ordered special-purpose vessels. The company is positioning itself as an important player in the rapidly growing energy market. The Hamburg based company sees its core task in the development of special offshore ships and the commercial operation of these technically sophisticated vessels tailored to the energy market.
The Construction Commissioning Service Operation Vessels represents a major innovation in the offshore shipping market. While the Commissioning Service Operation Vessels designs of today’s fleet are tailored to deployment exclusively on offshore wind turbines, the C-CSOV stands out thanks to its ability to be used in a much broader range of applications.
This new type of ship will have an enlarged and fully modular working deck, providing over 850 square metres of unobstructed multipurpose space. When used in conjunction with a 50-tonne AHC crane featuring integrated 3D motion compensation, the vessels will be able to perform not only conventional Offshore Wind tasks but also cable repairs, IMR and light construction work both above and below water. The fully integrated offshore gangway system will provide access to platforms between 12 and 30 metres above the waterline. A spacious lift will allow technicians and the necessary material to be transported to the offshore facilities quickly and without steps. A 12.4-tonne helicopter deck will satisfy the offshore industry’s requirements for these kinds of special-purpose vessels. The ship has also been designed for the use of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
Compared to other CSOVs in the current fleet, Deutsche Offshore’s C-CSOV stands out in particular due to its ability to be equipped with modular cable repair spreads. The mobilisation of such equipment in combination with the available crane capacity and the ROV makes it possible to offer repairs to critical cable infrastructure in the shortest possible time.
Particular emphasis has been placed on sustainable and economical operation, with the result that the ships are extremely energy efficient. Optimised hydrodynamics in conjunction with an energy-efficient configuration of the propulsion and energy system will reduce fuel consumption, thus emissions, significantly.
Particularly worthy of mention in this case are the 1,000 kWh battery pack and the shore power connection. Shifting away from on-board hydraulics, together with the electrification of large equipment, as well as the use of recuperation and heat recovery will lower the energy requirements and the environmental footprint of the ships.
Large, well-equipped living and leisure facilities – including a 165 square metre gym, entertainment rooms, spacious lounges and a weather-protected outdoor recreation balcony – will provide the technical offshore personnel with a pleasant environment during their stay on board.
Noise levels and ship vibrations on board have been dramatically reduced. As a result, the vessels has been assigned a class notation of COMF (C2, V2), whose requirements are going to be exceeded in many areas of the ship.
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