VESSEL REVIEW | TSS Pioneer – Versatile SOV to support Ørsted’s offshore wind projects in Taiwan

Ta San Shang Marine, a joint venture company formed by Japanese shipowner Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Taiwan’s Ta Tong Marine, has taken delivery of a new service operation vessel (SOV) built by Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam.

TSS Pioneer is specially designed by Norway’s Vard Design and is equipped for the complicated and harsh environment in the Taiwan Strait, which often experiences wave heights of up to 2.5 metres. The bespoke vessel is built according to Taiwanese flag in accordance with passenger rules as well as DNV and CR Classification Society rules. The design combines an optimised hull form to deliver low vessel motion responses to varying sea states and a configuration that will deliver a maximum endurance of 30 days.

The SOV has a length of 85.4 metres, a beam of 19.5 metres, a draught of 5.6 metres, a gross tonnage of 6,000, and aft deck and warehouse cargo space with a combined capacity of approximately 2,610 tonnes of assorted supplies and equipment. Single cabin accommodations are available for up to 60 technicians and 27 crewmembers, including four officer class cabins. Onboard amenities meanwhile include recreational lounges, fitness facilities, and a mess.

The vessel is also equipped with a Kongsberg Maritime dynamic positioning system and a 3D motion compensated knuckle boom crane, and a height-adjustable motion compensated gangway with lift. Both the crane and the gangway form part of a larger access and cargo tower assembly provided by SMST. The gangway is equipped with assisted landing, and there is an operator’s chair on the bridge from which both the crane and the gangway can be controlled, thereby enhancing operational flexibility.

A 745kWh air-cooled, lithium-ion energy storage system (ESS) from Corvus Energy is also installed as part of a hybrid power system intended to minimise emissions. The main engines include two 1,786ekW units and two 994ekW units that drive two 2,000kW azimuthing thrusters to propel the SOV to a speed of 14 knots.

A 274ekW generator is available for emergency use while a trio of 1,500kW side thrusters provide additional manoeuvrability for positioning and close-quarters navigation. An active-controlled roll reduction system is also fitted.

The vessel can also store 775.2 cubic metres of fresh water, 1,232.2 cubic metres of ballast water, and 602.5 cubic metres of fuel oil.

TSS Pioneer will operate in Taiwan under a 15-year time charter with Danish offshore wind company Ørsted via its local subsidiary, Ørsted Taiwan. Ørsted claims the vessel is the first ever purpose-built SOV in the Asia-Pacific region.

The vessel’s initial deployment will be in support of the 900MW Greater Changhua 1 and 2a offshore wind farms. Its duties at the wind farms will include support for turbine operations and maintenance.

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