Start-up Triumph Subsea Services is aiming to make a big splash in the offshore wind farm sector with an order for up to six ships in the UK and Croatia.
The shipowner said it has signed on the dotted line for one firm field development vessel (FDV) with three options at Brodosplit, and one wind farm development vessel (WDV) with an option at Harland & Wolff (H&W) in Northern Ireland.
The letter of intent at H&W represents the first newbuilding order since the struggling repair plant was taken over by UK infrastructure company InfraStrata last year with a view towards re-entering shipbuilding.
Clarksons lists Triumph as based in Split, Croatia. The company has been contacted for further information.
The 200-metre WDVs are described as a turn-key solution for floating wind farm installations, cable laying and marine services for offshore carbon capture and green hydrogen projects.
Job opportunities
"Following Triumph's business model of building and operating vessels with maximum local content, the UK vessels will provide numerous employment opportunities for the UK supply chain," Triumph said.
"These opportunities will also exist during the vessels' execution of UK renewables projects as the vessels will be crewed and operated by UK personnel."
InfraStrata said the ships will incorporate the latest in advanced marine technology, robotics, and safety and autonomous systems.
They will feature diesel-electric hybrid engines that will eventually transition into hydrogen fuel cells.
InfraStrata said it expects each vessel to generate revenue of between £340m and £360m ($476m).
The company added that both parties intend on executing a contract to build the ships by the end of June.
Time for Chronos
The first Croatian newbuilding meanwhile will be called FDV Chronos and is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Triumph describes the design as the most advanced net-zero compliant and future-proofed multipurpose offshore construction vessel available.
"Our commitment and goal was to have developed, built and to be operating a truly net-zero vessel fleet by 2035 or sooner," Triumph said.
"We believe that we are now well on our way to achieving these ... goals by 2030 due to the numerous innovations and industry firsts incorporated in FDV Chronos."
Triumph's website also promises that designs for wind turbine installation ships and other offshore vessels are "coming soon".
Plans for mining vessel
The company is also developing subsea harvesting vessels (SHVs) for a client within the burgeoning polymetallic nodules subsea mining market.
"The new-build SHVs are being designed to meet and exceed the emerging green and blue economy requirements and net-zero carbon emissions goals," Triumph said.
Triumph says its unnamed directors and management share more than 500 years of combined marine and subsea expertise.
Its first announcement in June promised a new Jones Act-compliant WDV based on its ST269 design, for use in the US.
