Damen Shipyards Group has launched the second of two commissioning service operations vessels (CSOVs) under construction for Ta San Shang Marine (TSSM), a vessel designed with the capability for future conversion to methanol propulsion.

The newly launched CSOV, named TSS Challenger, is scheduled for delivery in early 2027, Damen confirmed in a statement published on its website on Wednesday.

Once operational, the TSS Challenger will support offshore wind construction and maintenance projects in Taiwanese waters, working alongside its sister vessel, TSS Cruiser. Taiwan has been one of Asia's most active offshore wind markets, with the government targeting several gigawatts of installed offshore wind capacity by 2025 and further build-out planned through the late 2020s, driving demand for specialised commissioning and maintenance vessels in the region.

Constructed at Damen's Ha Long shipyard in Vietnam, the vessel is equipped with a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and an optimised hull design, both intended to reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Damen stated that the CSOV has also been engineered for future operation on green methanol, enabling a transition to the lower-carbon fuel as supply chains and bunkering infrastructure mature. Methanol has emerged as one of the most prominent alternative marine fuels under consideration across the shipping industry, with major operators including container lines ordering methanol-powered and methanol-ready vessels, though widespread commercial availability of green methanol and compatible bunkering infrastructure remains in development.

TSSM is a joint venture between Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Taiwan's Ta Tong Marine. The CSOV can accommodate up to 120 personnel and is fitted with a motion-compensated gangway designed to facilitate safe offshore wind transfer operations.

Commissioning service operations vessels are purpose-built platforms used to support the installation, commissioning, and long-term maintenance of offshore wind farms. They typically serve as floating accommodation and logistics hubs for technicians working at sea.

Damen Shipyards Group, headquartered in the Netherlands, is a globally recognized maritime manufacturer with a network of shipyards across multiple countries. The company has increasingly focused on developing vessels with reduced environmental impact, including hybrid propulsion systems and alternative-fuel readiness.

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, one of Japan's largest shipping companies, has been expanding its presence in the offshore wind sector as part of its broader strategy to diversify into renewable energy-related maritime services.

Source: Ship & Bunker