On Saturday 28th August, 2021 at 0730 hrs two Chinese built Hybrid Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) MHO APOLLO and MHO ASGARD entered Grand Harbour, Malta during their delivery voyage making them the 3rd and 4th delivered vessels that entered Harbour for the month of August.
MHO APOLLO and MHO ASGARD that were developed in collaboration with Danfoss and Volvo Penta, will be powered by an advanced propulsion system that comprises a pair of diesel drivetrains and a pair of diesel-electric drivetrains, each driving Volvo Penta IPS drives. The main diesel engines are Volvo Penta D13s, producing 515kW each. The generators used for the diesel-electric propulsion train are Volvo Penta D8-MH units. A further three of these units are located in the hulls amidships, alongside a Volvo Penta D5 used as a harbour generator. The system will offer exceptional flexibility, allowing the vessel to operate in zero-emission electric mode for up to 8 hours, or in combination with diesel propulsion for a maximum speed of twenty-five knots, according to Incat Crowther, which developed and designed the vessels in cooperation with MHO-Co. They will be able to accommodate 24 technicians in mid-deck cabins with a comfortable saloon for technicians located on the main deck with 24 suspended seats, lockers, a pantry and a separate mess.
With extensive zero-emission capability they have been delivered to service the Hornsea Project 2 offshore wind farm in the U.K. North Sea for Ørsted.
Upon her entry MHO APOLLO missed her berth and was called by the mooring party so she turned to her correct berth.
Both were built by Afai Southern Shipyard (Panyu Guangzhou) Ltd, in China they are the third and fourth Incat Crowther designed vessels for MHO & Co, following on from MHO ESBJERG and MHO GURLI. Dimensions are 34.4 metres loa with 11 metres beam and 1.45 metres draft.
GRT is 413 tons while deadweight is 60 tons while made of aluminium. With 8 crew and 24 passenger capacity there are homeported at Juelsminde (DAN Flag).
Both CTVs berthed in starboard side alongside position at Pinto 4 Wharf, part of Valletta Cruise Port.
Both left Grand Harbour in the evening at 2031 hrs bound to Tarifa, Spain and were represented in Malta by SMS Shipping – www.sms.com.mt
Watermarked Photos are by Capt. Lawrence Dalli otherwise stated. NO PHOTOS can be used or manipulated without our permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Sunday 29th August, 2021.
