The initiative benefits from £6.3 million in funding from the Zero Emissions Vessel and Infrastructure competition, which opened in February 2023 as part of Innovate UK and the Department of Transport’s strategic plan to develop, clean maritime solutions. Ten flagship UK projects were chosen to split more than £80m in funding with the aim of unlocking a transition to net zero.
Over the next 15 months, Tidal Transit will retrofit a diesel-powered Mercurio 20m vessel, Ginny Louise, with over two megawatt-hours of battery capacity, electric motors and propulsion pods. The finished product, e-Ginny, is expected to offer increased manoeuvrability.
The scope of the project will include the installation of an onshore charging station from Artemis Technologies, and an offshore wind turbine based-charger from MJR Power & Automation to allow for direct E-CTV charging on location. This will increase the time and range that electric vessels can stay in operation without returning to port.
The e-Ginny project is being undertaken in partnership with Goodchild Marine Services. Key equipment suppliers also include Volvo Penta, Danfoss and the battery system from Corvus Energy. Upon completion, the E-CTV will begin service on a UK windfarm for three years.
Leo Hambro, commercial director of Tidal Transit, said: “This project is a significant step forward in propelling the offshore transport industry into a new zero-carbon era. As a Norfolk based company, we’re delighted to be working locally with our project partner Goodchild Marine and, alongside our other incredible design and engineering partners operating nationwide, continuing to lead the way in sustainable and decarbonised offshore transport.”