Artemis Technologies to Revolutionise Offshore Wind Operations

Artemis Technologies, a trailblazer in sustainable maritime transport, is spearheading a collaborative industry-led Research and Development project that has received £3 million of government backing through the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4). 

The funding will support the real-world demonstration of the Belfast based maritime innovator’s first 24 passenger Crew Transfer Vessel (EF-24 CTV), which was initially developed thanks to previous funding from CMDC2. 

In response to significant global interest from both wind farm developers and CTV operators, the demonstrations will prove the EF-24 CTV’s capability to operate safely under extreme wind and tide conditions - a key priority within the offshore wind industry. 

The project will take place across multiple offshore UK windfarms, with Artemis Technologies working alongside an experienced consortium of partners, including Tidal Transit and Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult. 

“Offshore wind is a cornerstone of UK decarbonisation plans with potential to more than triple its capacity by 2035.  In turn, CTV numbers are projected to rise significantly.

“If zero emission vessels are not introduced, we are looking at an estimated 600,000 tonnes of CO2e/year being released into our environment. At Artemis Technologies we are confident that we have the transformative technology that will lead to greener CTV operations and ultimately the decarbonisation of high-speed maritime transport.  

“As a founding signatory of the Department for Transport’s ‘Operation Zero’, we want to see zero emission CTVs deployed in the North Sea by 2025, and this project will help make that vison a reality.” 

Artemis Technologies will also develop and deliver an EF-24 CTV operator training course, and undertake data collection and analysis to understand how the vessel operates in a range of conditions and locations. 

Onshore charging infrastructure will provide overnight vessel charging, enabling the EF-24 CTV to perform a full commercial operation cycle.    

“This initiative marks a pivotal step towards decarbonising offshore wind operations and maintenance. By demonstrating the real-life application of electric CTVs, together with Artemis Technologies and ORE Catapult, we’re paving the way towards a truly transformative low-carbon solution.  

This project will not only help increase vessel operational capacities and deliver real value to both CTV operators and windfarm developers, but it will also help the offshore wind industry meet its increasingly crucial net zero targets.” 

Maritime Minister Lord Davies said:  

“Unlocking a sustainable maritime sector and the economic growth it provides relies on cutting edge technology to propel it to the next level. The voyage to sustainability demands bold investments to not just deliver greener shipping but highly skilled jobs across the UK.  "Transformative solutions can help shape the future landscape of the maritime industry and support jobs in coastal communities." 

Operational Window Expansion: The EF-24 CTV, with its transformative foiling technology, aims to significantly increase operational efficiency, providing a step change in meeting decarbonisation targets for offshore wind Operations and Maintenance activities. 

Real-World Demonstration: The project will install onshore charging infrastructure to enable overnight vessel charging, ensuring the EF-24 CTV's ability to perform a full commercial operation during the demonstration period.  The EF-24 CTV will undergo a comprehensive demonstration across offshore UK windfarms, highlighting its operational efficiency and capability to perform in challenging wave conditions. 

Training and Data Analysis: Artemis Technologies will also develop an EF-24 CTV operator training course and conduct data collection and analysis, paving the way for wider adoption of this innovative vessel. 

Artemis Technologies is a world leading high-performance maritime design and applied technologies company committed to decarbonisation of the maritime industry. With skills in simulation, lightweight structure engineering, electronics, hydraulics, aerodynamics and hydrodynamics, Artemis Technologies develops high-speed zero-emission vessels and propulsion systems to help ensure a sustainable maritime future.

In 2022, Artemis Technologies launched to market the world’s first commercially viable zero-emission, 100% electric range of foiling workboats and the world’s most advanced, 100% electric, 150-seater passenger ferry. The Company has also recently added a luxury water taxi, the Artemis EF-12 Escape, to the portfolio.

Artemis Technologies' social channels are:

Tidal Transit’s fleet of purpose-built offshore wind crew transfer vessels have worked consistently since 2011 on windfarms around the UK and overseas.  Based in North Norfolk, Tidal Transit is well located to provide services across Europe as well as locally within the East of England. The fleet provides for offshore transit and transfer for twelve passengers and up to four crew. The fleet also includes vessels that can accommodate up to twelve passengers with comfortable beds, bathrooms, galley, internet access and entertainment facilities, allowing wind farm engineers and support technicians to live and work offshore for several days at a time. 

ORE Catapult is the UK’s leading innovation centre for offshore renewable energy, established in 2013 by the UK Government as part of a network of Catapults set up by Innovate UK in high growth industries.   Independent and trusted, with a unique combination of world leading test and demonstration facilities, engineering and research expertise, ORE Catapult convenes the sector, delivering applied research, accelerating technology development, reducing risk and cost, and enhancing UK-wide economic growth.  ORE Catapult operates in Glasgow, Blyth, Levenmouth, Aberdeen, the Humber, the East of England, the South West and Wales, and operates a collaborative research partnership in China. 

This project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK. CMDC4 is part of the Department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, a £206m initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector. 

In March 2022, the UK Government announced the biggest government investment ever in our UK commercial maritime sector, allocating £206m to UK SHORE, a new programme within the Department for Transport focused on decarbonising the maritime sector. UK SHORE is delivering a suite of interventions throughout 2022-2025 aimed at accelerating the design, manufacture and operation of UK-made clean maritime technologies and unlocking an industry-led transition to Net Zero. 

The UK SHORE programme includes the flagship multi-year Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC) which provides match-funding to help bring pre-commercial technologies closer to market readiness. CMDC4 allocated £33m to 33 projects across the UK to deliver demonstrations, pre-deployment trials and feasibility studies between April 2024 – March 2025. The projects are supported by over 120 partners and will leverage more than £16m of private investment. 

CMDC4 follows the successful first three rounds of the CMDC, which allocated over £95m to 105 projects. CMDC1 was launched in 2021, prior to UK SHORE.