Veka will be building two trimarans intended specifically for transporting personnel and freight to offshore wind farms. These are to be the first hybrid trimarans in the world.
Transporting offshore personnel takes place mainly by catamaran. These will be Veka's first trimarans. Most of the innovations are intended to make the so-called workboat more stable and comfortable, thereby reducing the risk of seasickness. For example, the ships have lower windows than is customary, so that the passengers have a better view. The third bow is designed to ensure additional stability and comfort and innovative stabilisers are built into the hull.
Hybrid Propulsion
The 33m-long trimaran has an innovative driveline and will have five water jets installed. Three jets are run by diesel engines, the outer two by permanent magnetic generators. Batteries powered by the generator provide an extra backup. These batteries can run the outer jets. This combination of diesel and electricity makes it the first hybrid trimaran in the world. According to Veka, the vessels can sail on the batteries for approximately an hour.
24 Hours Per Day
The two vessels will be capable of transporting 20 tons of freight on the foredeck. Inside, there is space for 24 passengers in comfortable business class seats. There are six cabins on board for the ship's crew, along with a mess room, changing locker and space for the crew. This allows the ships to be deployed 24 hours per day.
The trimarans will be built for the Danish shipping company World Marine Offshore. The vessels will be used for work at offshore windfarms in Europe. Delivery is scheduled for the third quarter of 2017.
