Damen and Windcat win KNVTS Ship of the Year Award with the CSOV Windcat Rotterdam

Damen Shipyards Group and Windcat announced that the commissioning service operation vessel (CSOV) Windcat Rotterdam received the KNVTS Ship of the Year Award, presented at the Maritime Awards Gala held on November 2 in Hilversum, Netherlands.

The award is given annually by the KNVTS (Royal Institution of Netherlands' Engineers) to a highly innovative vessel designed in the Netherlands, recognizing the shipyard that integrates innovations, achieves effective collaboration among the parties involved and delivers a high-performing vessel. A panel of maritime experts assesses nominees according to criteria of design, economics, sustainability, safety and construction process.

The Windcat Rotterdam was jointly developed by Damen, Windcat and CMB.TECH, and is the first of six vessels in the Elevation Series. Designed to support construction, commissioning and maintenance on offshore wind projects, it serves as a floating base for personnel and equipment. It features a motion-compensated 3D gangway with a high vertical compensation range and the world's first motion-compensated 3D crane rated at 10 tonnes, enabling heavier lifts in rough sea states.

The vessel's interior was designed together with specialists to provide crew with a 'home away from home' experience, offering accommodation for up to 120 people in single and twin cabins, a fully equipped gym, entertainment areas, high-quality catering and housekeeping services.

The Windcat Rotterdam features fuel-saving and emission-control technology, including a closed-bus switchboard configuration and hybrid battery-electric propulsion. It uses Damen's DPX-DRIVE system together with four azimuth thrusters for high-performance dynamic positioning. It also incorporates CMB.TECH's hydrogen technology, drawing on Windcat's experience with its hydrogen-powered crew transfer vessels, and will be fitted with a hydrogen generator, storage and supply system once the relevant class approval has been obtained.

Joost van der Weiden, Director of Damen Benelux, noted that the vessel demonstrates the power of collaboration with Windcat and CMB.TECH in supporting the offshore wind industry. Willem van der Wel, Managing Director of Windcat, highlighted that the award recognizes what was achieved by combining Damen's shipbuilding expertise with Windcat's operational experience. Koos Ziman, chairman of the jury, called the Windcat Rotterdam a well-deserved winner for its complexity, its well-thought-out logistics and the homely atmosphere created for crew during their long periods at sea.