Innovation Vessels (Part 1)

Posted on April 23, 2024April 24, 2024 by nickyyeoman

12-meter daughter craft operated by North Star

North Star, Daughter craft is used by the offshore wind industry to safely transfer technicians between the in-field Service Operation Vessel (SOV), where they live while working offshore, to the wind turbines to undertake routine or remedial maintenance. They are also used to support trips to shore, and daughter craft provides essential emergency safety and rescue cover.

Over the last two years, North Star’s teams in Newcastle, Lowestoft and Aberdeen have closely partnered with Chartwell Marine to produce a world-class high, performance, comfortable and sustainable daughter craft vessel design. It introduces outboard hybrid propulsion into the daughter craft market for the first time, utilising twin OXE 300hp diesel outboards supplied by Proteum in addition to Torqeedo Deep Blue electric outboards, setting a new standard for safe operations with an increased sea state operability at wave heights of up to 1.7m, which is 33% higher than anything else currently in operation.

The vessel also carries green technologies to reduce carbon emissions, and it is configured for further improvements in green technologies as the sector evolves.

The firm’s Renewables Director, Andrew Duncan, said: “The UK has the world’s largest offshore wind market backed by an experienced and innovative supply chain. We are committed to providing local content opportunities through direct and indirect employment, partnerships, and supply chains. Our annual spending is tens of millions of pounds, so we need to feel confident in our investments.

“Our relationship and collaboration with Proteum have ensured that we are bringing a transformational daughter craft design to the industry, using the latest technologies to increase safety, performance, reliability, comfort, while reducing emissions.”

Why outboard instead of inboard?

Outboard engines have many advantages over inboard or sterndrive systems, which you can read more about here (open document). Still, in this instance, the key is that the daughter craft can be maintained and repaired onboard the SOV. Due to the ease of access and removal of the outboard engine, the SOV can carry a complete spare engine. So, if the worst should happen and the engine cannot be repaired, then it can be swapped out in just a few hours, enabling the daughter craft to be back out and working in no time. With an inboard system, the daughter craft would be out of operation until the SOV can come into port, potentially costing thousands, if not tens of thousands of pounds.

Why diesel over petrol?

There are the usual safety factors, but with offshore vessels like this, having a single-use fuel makes operational processes much easier and more efficient. You must only carry one fuel onboard the SOV to service all onboard equipment. Also, torque is critical in these applications; with the weight of the vessels, a petrol outboard couldn’t produce enough torque.

Why OXE?

Torque and thrust are two of the main reasons. The OXE diesel outboard is the only one in the market that can run 17” in diameter, with custom-made 5-blade props. Efficiently and effectively transferring the increased torque that produces the vast thrust required to hold the daughter craft against the pylon and safely transfer the crew.

Three of the initial orders of six daughter craft have already been launched from the Alicat facilities in Great Yarmouth, with the fourth expected to launch during April 2024; for more information on the vessels operated by North Star and the services they provide, please visit: https://www.northstarshipping.co.uk

For more information on the OXE range of diesel outboards, please contact [email protected]

Stocking up in 2024

Posted on January 29, 2024 by nickyyeoman

January saw Proteum take delivery of 14 OXE 300hp diesel outboards. Four of these engines have been supplied to customers, with the re-introduction of Power in Partnership. This means our customers can now benefit from all the advantages of operating diesel outboards without the initial capital expenditure.

Simply pay for the installation kit of the engine up front, typically £6,500, and then only pay a cost per hour when the engines are in operation monthly, at a minimum usage of 600 hours a year.

This hourly rate will cover all servicing and repairs over a 5-year or 5,000-hour period, so you can manage your overheads and time.

Proteum will also provide in-service support for the OXE diesel outboard, keeping you on the water longer so you can do what you do best.

For more information on “Power in Partnership”, please get in touch with [email protected]

Are you planning to Go Green?

Posted on January 29, 2024 by nickyyeoman

Here is some helpful information regarding Bio-fuels:

As commercial vessel operators, we all have a social responsibility to reduce our carbon emissions; the good news is that you don’t have to wait for future technologies to make your business more sustainable; reducing your vessel emissions by up to 97% is as easy as simply filling up with HVO 100 (hydro-treated vegetable oil) instead of standard diesel. It sounds straightforward and is, as the complete range of OXE Marine diesel outboards distributed by Proteum is validated to operate using HVO fuel.

Here are a few things to consider when switching to HVO 100 fossil-free fuel:

Choose a suitable biodiesel.

There are two common types of bio-diesels: FAME (fatty acid methyl ester) and HVO. For diesel-powered vessels, Proteum recommends HVO, more specifically HVO 100 – European standard EN15940 – because it has basically the same properties as standard diesel fuel (EN590), so you can use it in your vessel as you would standard diesel fuel.

HVO 100 has storage and ageing properties very similar to standard diesel fossil fuel, so you don’t need to worry about storing your HVO 100 fuel any differently than your standard diesel fuel.

All OXE diesel outboards are validated to operate with HVO 100 (EN15940) fossil-free fuel, so if you’re thinking of re-powering your current diesel engines to OXE diesel outboards, you don’t need to do anything except power up with HVO 100 and go about your usual business. No engine modifications are necessary. A few modifications to the vessel may be necessary, but no alterations should be required for your vessel fuel storage, and no change to your service intervals or requirements should be required. It’s business as usual.

What about mixing HVO with standard diesel?

HVO 100 fossil-free fuel (EN15940) has the same properties as standard diesel fuel (EN590), so you can mix the fuels in any ratio, and your OXE diesel outboard engine will continue running as usual without any difference. For example, if you have half a tank of standard diesel and find an HVO 100 pump at the marina, you can happily bunker up. Likewise, if you’re constantly fuelling with HVO 100 in your home port because it’s readily available, but you come to another port where they only have standard diesel, then no problem – fuel up with standard diesel, and your installation will continue running as usual on the mixed load.

Cost and availability.

So, if HVO 100 is an excellent choice for all the above reasons – and if it’s so easy to reduce your current CO2 emissions by 97% simply by filling up from a different pump – why isn’t everyone doing it?

The first is availability; standard diesel fuel production is very mature and widely used in every country worldwide. HVO 100 fuel is still a young product with limited demand, is more complex to produce, and isn’t readily available in all areas of the UK. This is offset by the fact that you can blend it with standard diesel. You can use HVO 100 when it’s available and switch back when it’s not – any CO2 emission reduction is a win for your company on the path to sustainability.

The second and main catch for most potential users is cost. HVO 100 fuel is currently more expensive than standard diesel, but we hope that situation will improve over time with increased use.

So, what’s the verdict on HVO 100?

If an OXE diesel outboard powers your boat, then if HVO 100 is available in your area, you can switch to HVO 100 instead of standard diesel today. You’ll achieve a significant improvement in the sustainability of your propulsion without having to invest in new equipment.

In doing so, you immediately reduce your vessel’s CO2 emissions. It’s that easy.

All you need is to find a supplier of HVO 100 in your area and be willing to pay the extra cost. This should be more viable for commercial users with regulations to adhere to and company sustainability ambitions to achieve, and the viability trend is heading in the right direction. As more people learn about the benefits, demand will continue to increase, which can help move the needle on production and availability and, ultimately, lower the cost.

Like many emerging new technologies, HVO 100 fossil-free fuel could be better, but what’s important is that the marine industry now has a growing list of choices. Choices that allow you to act immediately to cover the interim more sustainably while we wait in anticipation for the next wave of innovations, such as the OXE Marine 450Hybrid, a new generation of sustainable marine propulsion.

If you would welcome any advice on switching to HVO, then please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] or call us at 07970116473.

Proteum is reintroducing its “Power in Partnership” (P.I.P.) program

Posted on December 14, 2023December 14, 2023 by nickyyeoman

Proteum understands that the initial cost of purchasing the OXE Marine diesel outboards can be a barrier for customers. Therefore, with Power in Partnership, customers can now enjoy all the benefits of the OXE diesel outboards without having to pay the upfront cost.

Initially, P.I.P. is only available for the 300hp engine specification, with the availability of the 150hp/175hp/200hp versions coming later in the year.

So, how exactly does P.I.P. benefit the customer?

Customers can enjoy minimal initial cost to secure the engine, which is typically £6,500. they then pay a simple and manageable monthly cost of ownership.
Customers only pay for the hours that the engine is working and earning money if the minimum contracted hours are achieved (600 hours per year).
Customers can book routine services in advance, maximising operational uptime of the engine and vessel.
Customers can utilise all the benefits of the OXE diesel with minimum capital expenditure, and without incurring depreciation costs.
Customers have the option to choose from three contract termination options: extension, purchase, or return the engine.
Warranty, In-Service, and Support are available throughout the length of the partnership.

For more information, please contact [email protected] or call us at 07970116473.

OXE Global Distributors Meeting – Gdansk, Poland

Posted on November 24, 2023 by nickyyeoman

In November, the annual OXE Global Distributors meeting was held in Gdansk, Poland.

During the event, two members of the Proteum team, Ben and Simon, visited the OXE Marine manufacturing facilities at PanLink, Tzcew. They were able to witness first-hand the manufacturing process that goes into creating the OXE 300hp.

In the afternoon, the OXE Marine CEO, Paul Frick, and the COO, Jeremy Davis, updated the global distributors network with the latest business news, including the development of the OXE Marine Jet-tech and 450 hybrid.

Currently, there are over 1300 OXE Marine diesel outboards in operation, and the number of orders continues to increase, including 80 outboards to the Philippines Coast Guard and 40 outboards to the US Navy. It looks like the next 12 months will be very positive for the company.

As the UK distributor, Proteum is proud to be part of this continuing success.

Latest OXE vessel launched

Posted on October 25, 2023October 25, 2023 by nickyyeoman

The UK’s latest OXE power vessel has been launched and commissioned

This vessel offers transportation services to Orford Ness located in Suffolk. Currently, people must take a ferry from Orford Quay to reach the Ness. However, the ferry can be challenging for those with mobility issues due to the steep and slippery steps. The newly built landing craft will enable step-free access to the Ness, making it possible for wheelchair users, families with buggies, and others who cannot use steps to visit.

The landing craft is designed to transport a vehicle and a trailer weighing up to 4 tons or 12 passengers per crossing. It will be coded to MCA category 3 and features a pair of OXE 150Hp diesel outboards and internal fuel tanks. The wheelhouse can accommodate a helm and two crew members, and a bow thruster is installed to assist in the strong current that can flow on the Alde-Ore Estuary.