The hybrid vessel will operate primarily on a 25MWh Blue Whale Battery Energy Storage System developed by Norway’s Corvus Energy. The lithium iron phosphate (LFP) system will be the largest battery installation ever deployed in a maritime project and will enable the vessel to operate solely on electricity for a 24-hour period.

The CSOV, which is to be built in the Spanish Armon shipyard, will have engines running solely for charging at a constant optimised load to maximise efficiency, extend battery life, and reduce emissions. A DC grid setup will minimise energy losses and ensure a smooth distribution of power across the vessel’s energy consumers. Offshore charging systems will enable simultaneous battery charging and dynamic positioning operation in what is claimed to be an industry first in the SOV sector. 

Corvus Energy VP Sales, Pål Ove Husoy, commented: “A fully electric offshore vessel is something the industry has been working towards for a long time and marks a major milestone in offshore vessel operations. This eCSOV will be the first offshore vessel that can operate fully electric for a full day and will set a new standard for future offshore vessels. The unique system design incorporating both battery power and dual-fuel methanol engines will significantly reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency while providing the reliability and performance needed for demanding offshore wind and renewable operations.”

Bibby Marine’s New Build Director, Gavin Forward, said that the company had selected Corvus Energy for its proven track record in delivering complex vessel projects which its LFP battery chemistry aligned with the likely operational profile of the vessel. “We are excited to collaborate with Corvus on this pioneering eCSOV project, setting a new benchmark for sustainable offshore operation and driving the future of zero-emission vessel technology,” he declared.

Corvus will supply the battery system to the Spanish yard in 2026 and the vessel is due for delivery one year later.

The Norwegian company, which has completed more than 1,200 projects and claims to have supplied more than half of the world’s zero-emission systems in shipping, has a range of energy storage and fuel cell systems for different vessel types. They include modular lithium-ion battery units and hydrogen proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems.