· Offshore charging pilot aims to keep fleets on station and reduce GHG footprint
Stillstrom by Maersk has partnered with Faber Group and Prysmian to launch a pilot offshore charging system that will allow hybrid and electric vessels to connect to clean power while offshore, reducing ship emissions across the offshore wind supply chain.
Service operation vessels (SOVs) account for a large share of carbon emissions during wind farm operations, as they spend extended periods on-site and make repeated trips to shore for refuelling, compounding the impact. Stillstrom’s offshore charging technology allows these ships to remain on station, curbing CO2 emissions, reducing fuel use and enhancing operational efficiency.
The company’s charging technology requires high-performance energy storage and flexible, safe power connections, but standard products cannot withstand saltwater, mechanical stress, temperature swings, or strict safety standards. They also need customised cable lengths, high current capacities and full compliance with regulations. Faber Group, together with Prysmian, has developed a bespoke power and cable solution to ensure reliable, safe energy transmission between offshore infrastructure, cable systems and SOVs.
The first show trial, scheduled for Q4 in Esbjerg, Denmark will utilise each company’s proprietary technology to reduce CO2, noise, and offshore pollutants to provide operators with low-maintenance, future-proof infrastructure.
Stillstrom CEO Kristian Borum Jørgensen said: 'This close collaboration brings together our collective innovations and industry expertise to accelerate the transition to cleaner maritime operations and set new standards for offshore decarbonisation. By doing so, we help the industry tackle one of its most pressing challenges: cutting emissions from offshore vessel activities. Together, we are delivering safe, reliable power between offshore charging systems and vessels - reducing reliance on fossil fuels and significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions.'
Beyond supplying cables, Faber Group is providing consulting, project support, and logistics, drawing on its expertise in flexible assembly and maritime turnkey solutions to meet offshore standards and high-tensile requirements.
Faber Group CEO Dr. Falko Schröter said: 'Our contribution to reduce CO2 emissions is not limited to the on-and offshore maritime market. Also, with our innovative photovoltaic solutions like the Faber Solar Frame, we deliver sustainable off-grid power supply to any construction sites to set new standards in replacing diesel engines and generators. Therefore, it is a great privilege to join forces and to support Stillstrom in offshore decarbonisation as a perfect completion to our low carbon footprint strategy.'
Operating in more than 50 countries, Prysmian has 150 years’ experience manufacturing world-leading underground and subsea cable solutions for power transmission and distribution.
Sezgin Islamoglu, CEO Prysmian CEE Region said: 'Electrifying offshore operations depends on delivering reliable power at sea. By leveraging Prysmian’s excellence in ship-to-shore solutions - underpinned by extensive research, advanced materials science, rigorous environmental testing and decades of subsea engineering - we have developed a fully compliant, high-capacity cable system.
'It is engineered to withstand saltwater corrosion, mechanical loads, temperature variations and offshore safety standards, while enabling precise custom lengths and stable high-current transmission. When integrated with Stillstrom’s offshore charging system, it closes the gap between charging technology and dependable energy delivery from platform to vessel. This allows operators to cut fuel use and emissions without compromising performance or uptime.'
Source: Stillstrom
