ABS to class first “tri-fueled” vessel for Harvey Gulf

ABS has been selected to class two offshore supply vessels (OSVs) being retrofitted with a battery/converter system by Harvey Gulf International Marine.

Harvey Energy (pictured) will become the first ABS-classed dual fuel and battery vessel and the first US-flagged OSV equipped with a battery/converter system while Harvey Supporter will become the second vessel in the Harvey Gulf fleet to have a battery power system.

The battery installation is expected to achieve the ABS class notation ESS-LiBATTERY.

The installation of a 1,450kW battery hybrid solution is anticipated to reduce Harvey Energy’s exhaust emissions, fuel consumption, and noise level. The overall fuel cost savings are expected to be in the range of 10 to 20 per cent, according to Harvey Gulf International.

The battery capacity will be sufficient to sail in and out of harbour on electric power with fewer engines running, while also supplementing hotel load electricity when docked, which would reduce noise and pollution levels in the harbour area. Furthermore, the ability to operate on battery power will assist redundancy during critical dynamic positioning (DP) operations at the offshore platform.