Thai shipbuilder Marsun is going high-tech and offering offshore wind support vessel designs inspired by the high-octane world of America’s Cup yacht racing.
The company has teamed up with the UK’s BAR Technologies to build its BARTech 30 design, bringing the latest in marine engineering expertise to the emerging Asian offshore wind markets.
Marsun, which is located near Bangkok at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River in Samut Prakan, said it is “well positioned” to service the growing offshore wind sector in the Asia-Pacific.
The shipbuilder has delivered over 300 vessels to the Thai national and international navies, commercial marine, and yachting sectors since its founding in 1980.
The BARTech 30’s ProA offshore wind support vessel design and active hydrofoil system is claimed to minimise vessel motion and fuel burn.
Its backers claim it offers a 30% reduction in fuel consumption and total emissions, and improved stability across all sea states - including up to 70% reduced vertical accelerations - in comparison to traditional catamaran designs.
The first BARTech 30, the Seacat Columbia, has recently been deployed under a long-term charter with Equinor on the Dudgeon wind farm.
BAR Technologies said this is further proof of the designs “suitability to the Asia Pacific’s environment of unpredictable climate events and sea conditions”.
“Marsun is a highly experienced builder of commercial vessels for the marine and offshore energy industries, and we’re pleased to add BAR Tech to the range of vessels portfolio we offer our customers,” said Marsun chief executive Patrawin Chongvisal.
“We are promoting a wide range of the most innovative and advanced CTVs designs to the Asian market.
“In cooperation with BAR Technologies, we recognised the opportunity to bring such a game-changing design to the Southeast Asian offshore wind markets, where we believe the vessel will be particularly operationally effective,” he added.
BAR Technologies chief executive John Cooper added: “With the first BARTech 30 now deployed to a large-scale offshore wind farm with Equinor in the North Sea…we’re naturally keen to export this technology into emerging offshore wind markets.
“By partnering with… a shipyard like Marsun, we look forward to contributing to the opportunity for new offshore wind markets to accelerate through legacy CTV designs and secure the latest in efficient vessel technologies in the delivery of new fixed and floating offshore wind projects.”
