- New Electric CTVs to Meet Growing Demand for Zero-Emission Offshore Wind Solutions.
- Tidal Transit Leads the Way in Offshore Wind Electrification with E-CTV Expansion.
- Tidal Transit’s Diesel-to-Electric Retrofit Project Accelerates Industry Transition.
Tidal Transit, a top owner of dedicated crew transfer vessels for the offshore wind industry, has secured equity financing from maritime and logistics investor HICO Investment Group. With this funding, it will build out its fleet with six new electric CTVs, furthering the march of the industry toward sustainable, zero-emission solutions, reports Tidal Transit.
Satisfying Increased Demand for Zero-Emission Solutions
The new order of Tidal Transit comes with an element of expansion in response to increasing demand for zero-emission CTV solutions in offshore wind operations. The action reflects Tidal Transit and HICO’s commitment to reducing diesel dependence within the sector and underscores the two companies’ shared aim at emissions reduction as well as environmental sustainability.
Improved efficiency and reduced operating costs
New electric CTVs provide a range of benefits over the traditional diesel-powered vessels, such as drastically reduced emissions, greater energy efficiency, and significantly reduced operating costs. Moreover, they provide personnel comfort, equipped with near-silent and vibration-free propulsion. All these advantages fit well within the science-backed emissions goals of the wind farm operators. It also reduces maintenance downtime and facilitating the use of electricity generated from the wind farms themselves.
Fleet expansion and the E-CTV transition
The six new builds, due for delivery beginning in 2026, will join Tidal Transit’s already operational ‘electric frontrunner’ CTV fleet to help the industry make the transition to electric power. To enhance this even further, Tidal Transit is also championing a diesel-to-electric retrofit project, e-Ginny. It is funded by Innovate UK and the UK Department of Transport. This project proves exactly how existing, diesel-powered CTVs can be completely converted to 100% electric power and recharged offshore.
Urgency for Industry-wide Electric Solutions
Leo Hambro, Director of Tidal Transit, emphasized the critical moment the offshore wind industry is facing: “The offshore wind industry has reached a transition moment where the green electricity produced can be efficiently used to propel the vessels that service it. The continued burning of fossil fuels contradicts the very purpose of harnessing renewable wind power. With HICO’s backing, Tidal Transit is committed to making the switch to electric CTVs not just viable, but also inevitable. The Offshore Wind Industry has a responsibility to its stakeholders and consumers to make this step and actively embrace the rapid decarbonisation of the supply chain.”
A Major Milestone in Electrification
Hambro also highlighted that the new fleet represents a significant milestone:
“Built together with our network of marine and engineering partners, these six new E-CTVs mark the world’s first fleet of multi-functional electric CTVs and a major milestone in our journey towards the electrification of offshore wind.”
HICO Investment Group’s Support for Transformative Innovation
Chris Hartnoll, CEO of HICO Investment Group, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, noting: “Tidal Transit’s vision to electrify offshore wind is exactly the kind of bold, transformative innovation that HICO is committed to backing. This fleet expansion is an industry first, it’s a defining moment for the maritime sector, proving that large-scale electrification of offshore service vessels is no longer a distant aspiration but an operational reality. This milestone will accelerate fundamental shift across the industry, unlocking new standards of sustainability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. We’re proud to support Tidal Transit as they lead the charge in setting a new benchmark for zero-emission offshore energy logistics.”
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Source: Tidal Transit
