VESSEL REVIEW | Rem Power – Rem Offshore acquires versatile walk-to-work vessel

Norwegian operator Rem Offshore has taken delivery of a new commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV).

Rem Power is the first in a planned series of two vessels developed by Norway's Vard Design to serve as versatile platforms for a broad range of offshore wind support operations, focusing on onboard logistics, security, comfort, and operability. The vessel is equipped to provide services during construction, operation, and maintenance of offshore wind farms. The hull was built at Vard Braila in Romania while completion took place at Vard Søviknes in Norway.

The DNV-classed Rem Power has a length of 85 metres, a beam of 19.5 metres, a draught of 5.2 metres, deadweight of 2,000, and accommodations are available for 27 crewmembers and 93 windfarm technicians. The vessel is equipped with an Uptime International height-adjustable motion-compensated gangway with elevator system, a height-adjustable boat landing system, and a Seaonics electric-controlled, 3D-compensated electrical crane. The gangway is autonomously controlled with the aid of artificial intelligence.

Space is also available for a specialised daughtercraft to be used for crew transfers to and from wind turbines. The gyro-stabilised smaller vessel was supplied by Mare Safety.

A diesel-electric and battery hybrid propulsion system ensures highly flexible and fuel-efficient operation. The CSOV was also designed to allow future upgrades or conversion that will in turn enable operation on low-emission energy sources. The Corvus Orca Energy 745kWh has shore charging capability thanks to a shore power connection compatible with both harbour and windfarm charging stations.

The propulsion system also includes two Kongsberg Maritime azimuthing thrusters, which provide Rem Power with greater manoeuvrability than with a fixed propeller in combination with rudder. The thrusters are powered by permanent magnet motors and can also contribute to motion damping in DP operations. A Kongsberg tunnel thruster meanwhile provides high hydrodynamic efficiency as well as low noise and vibrations.

To enable efficient operations, the CSOV is fitted with a Vard Electro integrated bridge system, which can be accessed from a single crew station. Monitoring and control of the various onboard systems can be performed through that station with the aid of touchscreens.

Rem Power will work in the renewables market, first for Asso Subsea for a period before going on to serve a longer contract for German energy company RWE. Its yet unnamed sister vessel will be built by Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam with delivery scheduled for 2024.

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