Massive CTV/SOV demand predicted by 2050

The UK Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult predicts that more than 2,000 Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) and more than 400 Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) are expected to be in use around the world by 2050 – yet so far none of the UK’s SOVs has been built in the UK.

To address this, It has opened a £200,000 (€236,000) contract for a potential supplier to build a business case for UK SOV manufacture, with a deadline of February 14, 2025.

“The offshore wind industry is growing rapidly, with over 850GW of capacity expected to be installed globally by 2050,” the notice says. “This is underpinned by global commitments to reduce carbon emissions and by improving the cost efficiency of wind as an energy source.

“In line with this rapid expansion, the number of vessels required to support offshore wind developments throughout their operational life will also require major growth. Here at ORE Catapult, we have conducted analysis to determine the size of the market for operations and maintenance (O&M) vessels, based on global installed capacity targets. Up to 2050, strategies centred on Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) and Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) are expected to be employed.

“Globally, this could equate to up to 2,325 CTVs and 423 SOVs in operation by 2050. This presents a huge opportunity for UK shipbuilding, however, none of the UK’s currently operating SOVs have been built in the UK.

“This project aims to develop the business case for establishing this production.”

Without giving any further details to Maritime Journal about the contract itself, an ORE catapult spokesperson did say: “This work is designed to help address a hugely important topic within both the offshore wind and maritime industries as we look to support the UK’s increased deployment of offshore wind, and how that can help drive us towards Net Zero. Together with our partners at The Crown Estate and the National Shipbuilding Office we will be publishing further details in due course.”

The full notice can be found here.