VESSEL REVIEW | Edda Breeze – Edda Wind hydrogen-ready, walk-to-work vessel that can house 120 personnel

Offshore wind service support provider Edda Wind, a company jointly owned by Norwegian shipping companies the Wilhelmsen Group and the Ostensjo Group, has taken delivery of its first commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV), the DNV-classed, hydrogen-ready Edda Breeze.

The vessel is the first to be delivered as part of a nine-vessel newbuilding programme. Before the end of August 2022, the newbuild will begin serving a 10-year contract with Bremen-based Ocean Breeze Energy at the Bard 1 offshore wind farm in the North Sea off the coast of Germany.

Edda Breeze was built by Spanish shipyard Gondan to a design by Salt Ship Design of Norway. It has a length of 88.3 metres, a moulded beam of 19.7 metres, a draught of 5.3 metres, and accommodations for up to 93 technicians in addition to its normal crew of 27. This large capacity will enable the vessel to operate as a walk-to-work platform for technicians involved in the construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms.

The CSOV is fitted with a 3D motion-compensated crane and a gangway with a maximum range of 28 metres. Both the crane and the gangway were supplied by MacGregor. An integrated lift has capacity for 26 personnel. Also installed is a ballast water treatment system provided by Optimarin.

The vessel also has cargo hold space with a total area of 400 square metres.

Although configured for later conversion to accommodate low-emission hydrogen propulsion, Edda Breeze presently relies on a hybrid arrangement that consists of a Caterpillar 3512E main diesel engine, a Genflex generator, and a pair of Voith Schneider propellers. Three Brunvoll side tunnel thrusters assist in lateral manoeuvring.

The accommodation spaces include a galley, four offices, two conference rooms, a day room, a recreation room, and a medical bay. Also supplied are galley equipment from Beha-Hedo Industrier, doors from Libra-Plast, a waste management system from Delite, and rescue equipment from Viking Norsafe.

Gondan is also building four other CSOVs from the same series as part of Edda Wind's current newbuilding programme. These sisters of Edda Breeze will be operated in support of construction and maintenance activities of a range of clients at various offshore wind farms in Western Europe, particularly in the North Sea.

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