As the United Kingdom and its North Sea partners work toward expanding offshore wind capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2030, industry leaders are pointing out a lesser-discussed part of the equation: the vessels required to service those wind farms.
While offshore wind turbines generate zero-carbon electricity, the service operation vessels (SOVs) and crew transfer vessels (CTVs) that transport technicians and equipment to and from turbines operate year-round in demanding sea conditions and still rely largely on conventional fuel systems. These vessels, though essential to offshore wind productivity, represent a measurable source of emissions within the renewable energy supply chain.
Marine design firm BAR Technologies and boatbuilder Diverse Marine say the issue is not theoretical and that practical solutions are already being used in the North Sea.
Crew transfer vessels equipped with BAR Technologies’ Foil Optimized Stability System (FOSS) have demonstrated fuel consumption reductions that translate to approximately one metric ton of CO₂ savings per vessel per operating day, while also improving ride comfort and uptime in rough offshore conditions.
When applied across a projected fleet of 150 to 250 CTVs needed to support a 100-gigawatt offshore wind portfolio, those savings could total 55,000 to 90,000 metric tons of CO₂ annually through efficiency gains alone.
A working example is Seacat Columbia, a 30-meter crew transfer vessel designed by BAR Technologies and built by Diverse Marine. The vessel incorporates a proa-style hull and foil-assisted stability system and has been operating in the North Sea since 2022 supporting wind farms for energy company Equinor. Similar FOSS-equipped vessels, including Seacat Sovereign and Seacat Sceptre, have accumulated extensive operational time across European wind projects.
“These vessels show what is possible today using technology that already works in the North Sea,” said Oliver Pendleton, Head of Operations & Vessels at BAR Technologies. “But efficiency alone is not the end goal. If offshore wind is to be genuinely net zero, then the vessels servicing it must also become zero emission.”
Both companies are now focusing on combining hull optimization, foil-assisted stability and zero-carbon propulsion systems to create fully zero-emission crew transfer vessels for future offshore wind operations.
For Diverse Marine, the path forward is tied directly to the growth of offshore wind. “The next phase of offshore wind growth demands vessels that are not only capable in harsh North Sea conditions, but aligned with long-term decarbonization goals,” said Ben Colman, Director at Diverse Marine.
As additional offshore wind commitments are expected to be formalized this year, the companies are encouraging policymakers and wind farm developers to consider vessel procurement and charter strategies as part of the overall net-zero equation.
While marine logistics represent a relatively small portion of offshore wind project budgets, industry experts note they remain a meaningful part of the sector’s carbon footprint — one that can be addressed using existing, proven marine technology.
