CTruk Boats, builders of multi-purpose catamarans on the UK’s east coast, has signed its first export order.
The 12th vessel on the CTruk Boats’ order book since its establishment in 2009 will be a 20-tonne payload MPC for Dutch company, Sima Charters. The vessel will incorporate CTruk Boats’ flexible pod system (patent applied); a 12-person crew pod, a fuel pod and the capability of mounting a 10ft bow container for transporting equipment out to wind turbines.
Sima Charters chose CTruk Boats for the versatility of its vessels and the fuel economy gained from its efficient composite hull build. Ruud Lievaart, owner of Sima Charters explained, “We already have five monohull vessels, but have seen increasing demand for large loads to be ferried out to the wind farms. We therefore needed a big enough foredeck for heavy equipment. CTruk Boats’ vessel is very different from other boats; offering a large foredeck, as well as the flexibility to quickly move the wheelhouse forward and put a large container on the aft deck. The vessels are also very fuel efficient, which was a key factor in our decision-making”.
Ben Simpson, Managing Director of CTruk Boats commented “We’re delighted with our first international order in what has been a busy year so far for the company” . He continued “We set out to try and improve the design of the vessels supplying the North Sea wind farms. So the composites which make up the work vessels’ hull are designed to make for a smoother, more hydrodynamic shape, whilst being light and very tough. It’s a similar material that the RNLI uses for its fast lifeboats. This means the vessel is very fuel-efficient compared to the aluminium alternatives”.
This vessel, to be named SC Buzzard, is expected to be working off Belgium and the Netherlands, with the occasional foray into UK waters.
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Offshore WIND staff, May 14, 2012; Image: prsavvy