EnBW and FWOL conclude a five-year contract: The crew transfer vessel Windcat 34 will now serve EnBW Baltic 2 W

Karlsruhe/Kopenhagen. From 1 July 2015, the crew transfer vessel (CTV) “Windcat 34” will sail daily from Rostock to the offshore wind farm EnBW Baltic 2 in the German Baltic Sea. A corresponding five-year contract was signed today between FRS Windcat Offshore Logistics (FWOL) and EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG during the EWEA conference in Copenhagen.

The “Windcat 34” is an environment-friendly and safe crew transfer vessel. It is – together with the “Windcat 34” - the first catamaran equipped with a catalytic convertor to reduce the NOX emission by 90%. The fuel consumption at an average of 185 l per hour at 25 knots is exceptional low. The fender system designed by Windcat Workboats secures the safe transfer at the turbines. Both the crew (2 persons per shift and up to 3 crews in rotation) and the mechanics are based in Rostock.

FWOL, FRS Windcat Offshore Logistics, the owner and operator of “Windcat 34” secures a good service and a reliable performance of the CTV. Combined with spare engines and bigger components with a long delivery period at stock FWOL reduces the downtimes of “Windcat 34” to a minimum. With a back –up system of well trained employees FWOL ensures a 24-hour service.

EnBW Baltic 2 is being constructed 32 kilometres north of the Baltic island of Rügen. The erection of the turbines is currently in full swing: 44 wind power turbines have already been installed. With 80 wind power turbines and a total capacity of 288 megawatts. the offshore wind farm can generate 1,200 gigawatt hours of electricity per year. That covers the theoretical requirements of around 340,000 households and will save 900,000 tonnes of CO₂.

With a workforce of around 20.000 employees, EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG supplies electricity, gas, water and energy-related products and services to 5.5 million customers. EnBW wants to be the first point of contact for their customers – households, industry and municipalities – in. all matters affecting energy. The company will achieve this aspiration on the basis of their experience and innovation strength, combined with listening and dialogue. Close to the customer EnBW is creating new growth opportunities with new products and local solutions for a sustainable supply of energy and enhanced energy efficiency. They will forge ahead with the expansion of renewable energies, first and foremost wind and hydropower, while securing the supply of energy through their cutting-edge conventional power plants. Their grid subsidiaries are setting in place the preconditions for integrating an increasing volume of renewable energies and smart energy systems into the grid. EnBW already started operating its first commercial offshore wind farm EnBW Baltic 1 in 2010, EnBW controls a total of more than 1,600 MW of approved offshore capacity in the German sector of the North Sea

FWOL is a joint venture of Windcat Workboats and FRS Offshore.

Windcat Workboats is Europe's leading provider of specialist crew transfer vessels to the offshore wind power industry. The unique design of the vessels result in fast, safe and comfortable transfer of personnel and supplies in challenging sea conditions with safety as the highest priority.

FRS Offshore is a 100% subsidiary of FRS Group. The FRS Group is Europe’s leading international ferry specialist, with its headquarters in German. The FRS Group and its subsidiaries operate 53 ferry and catamaran lines in Europe, Northern Africa and in the Middle East. FRS offers safe and comfortable transport for 8.3 million passengers per year and 1.4 million vehicles.