Artemis Technologies is playing a key role in a groundbreaking £8m project to deliver the world’s first retrofit Electric Crew Transfer Vessel (E-CTV) with offshore and onshore charging.

The design and engineering phase has begun for the project led by sea transport and crew transit service operator Tidal Transit.

Artemis Technologies will be installing an onshore charging station for the new vessel. There will also be a wind turbine-based charger to enable direct E-CTV offshore charging at sea.

Over the next 15 months, a diesel-powered Mercurio 20m vessel, Ginny Louise, will be retrofitted with over two megawatts-hours (MWh) of battery capacity, electric motors and propulsion pods. The finished product, e-Ginny, will be 100% zero emissions in operation, will have increased manoeuvrability and will be near-silent for passengers and passers-by.

Once completed, the E-CTV vessel will begin service on a UK windfarm for a period of three years.

Co-founder of Artemis Technologies, David Tyler, said: “Existing shoreside charging capabilities world-wide are severely limited which is a major barrier when it comes to increasing the uptake of zero emission marine operations.

“Providing the charging system for this innovative project is just one of the ways that Artemis Technologies is playing a key role in the developing a sustainable clean maritime eco system which will help to decarbonise the industry.”

Funding for the initiative includes £6.3m from the Zero Emissions Vessel and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition. It was announced in February 2023 as part of Innovate UK and the Department of Transport’s strategic plan to develop, deploy and operate clean maritime solutions. Just ten flagship UK projects were chosen to split more than £80m in funding, with the aim of unlocking an industry-led transition to Net Zero.

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. We are delighted to be working with incredible design and engineering partners operating nationwide to lead the way in sustainable and decarbonised offshore transport.”

The project partners are Artemis Technologies, Tidal Transit, Goodchild Marine Services and MJR Power & Automation.