VARD’s cutting edge vessel for REM Purus named REM Power

Tailor-made for world-wide services

The CSOVs are tailor-made for world-wide services and maintenance operations at offshore wind farms. The VARD 4 19 design, developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway, is a highly versatile platform for all offshore windfarm support operations, focusing on onboard logistics, security, comfort, and superior operability. The vessel is equipped to provide services during both construction, operation, and maintenance of offshore windfarms.

CEO of Rem Offshore, Lars Conradi Andersen, is very pleased with the result:

- We have emphasized on developing an attractive and future-oriented vessel with low emissions together with VARD, and have, among other things, prepared it for zero-emission operation through charging at sea. It is therefore very gratifying to find that Rem Power is delivered on time and goes straight to work in a good market. The market looks good in all our segments, and Rem is well positioned with the most modern and energy-efficient fleet in the industry.

Rem Power will work in the renewables market, first for Asso Subsea, before going on a longer contract for the energy company RWE. Rem Offshore has a British company Purus Marine as an owner in its wind investment.

Part of the Ocean Charger project

The vessel is equipped with a diesel-electric and battery hybrid propulsion system designed for highly flexible and fuel-efficient operation. Substantial volumes in the vessel are set aside for future upgrades or conversion to zero emission energy sources.

REM Power is the first vessel to partake in the testing of the Ocean Charger project – a project by VARD with partners, to develop a maritime value chain for offshore wind with offshore energy transfer. By connecting vessels to the power grid in the wind farm/harbor and charging batteries regularly, the aim is to power operations with a minimum additional energy sources. The project is awarded funding by the Norwegian Government’s Green Platform Initiative.

The first CSOV with SeaQ integrated bridge system

She is the first CSOV delivered with Vard Electro’s SeaQ integrated bridge system. The SeaQ bridge is the highest level of bridge integration with an extended architecture, utilizing a combination of VARD developed integration solutions, combined with touch monitors to gather various systems into one operator station, backed by full-featured onboard commissioning and verification features.

The first vessel with SEAONICS’ ECMC crane

REM Power will be the world first vessel to be equipped with VARD daughter SEAONICS’ Electric Controlled Motion Compensated (ECMC) crane, securing efficient handling operations for a sustainable future. This system allows to always keep the load close to the crane tip from the deck level to the TP platform. The new and innovative crane ensures quick and safe cargo transfer.

World`s first to be equipped with Kongsberg Rim azimuth propellers as main propulsion

REM Power is the first in the world to be equipped with Kongsberg Rim azimuth propellers as main propulsion. This is a propeller variant that can be rotated freely to an arbitrary horizontal angle. These give the vessel far better maneuverability. Permanent magnetic motors provide a compact, highly responsive, and energy-efficient thruster, while keeping operating and service costs low. The thrusters can also contribute to motion damping in DP operations. Furthermore, the vessel is equipped with a Kongsberg RIM DRIVE tunnel thruster, which provides high hydrodynamic efficiency and low noise and vibrations.

Final tests before delivery

The hull of REM Power was built at Vard Braila in Romania and outfitted and finalized at Vard Søviknes in Norway. Currently the vessel is having her final tests before delivery and entering operations.

The second vessel will be built and delivered by Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam, scheduled for delivery in 2024.

REM Power main dimensions are 85 x 19.5 m with an accommodation for up to 120 persons, including 93 windfarm technicians and a crew of up to 27.

Other innovation on board REM Power

The vessel has state of the art deliveries from several subcontractors:

• Kongsberg is delivering decision support system for the integrated bridge system.
• REM Power is the first renewable vessel to be equipped with Metizoft Life Cycle Assessment system (LCA), that measure the vessel’s environmental impacts throughout each stage of the lifecycle, from raw materials extraction to disposal. By analyzing all relevant Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) a complete assessment of the total environmental impact is made.
• The W2W system (walk to work) – market leading Uptime 30m AMC logistic system consisting of worlds first autonomous gangway with artificial intelligence, combined with an integrated elevator tower for personnel and cargo logistics. The W2WFeatured with auto-landing, slip-off detection, integrated crane function for cargo handling, integrated transfer-lines, stepless access for personnel and cargo.
• A highly specialised and adapted daughter craft delivered by Mare Safety provides safe, comfortable, and efficient transport of technicians and cargo between the CSOV and the wind turbines. The DC is certified according to emissions (Tier III), and has a stabilizing gyro to enhance performance and comfort.