About the project

Engineering consultancy and ship design experts Longitude Engineering have been selected to support a consortium led by vessel owner and operator Bibby Marine for the design of the world’s first zero-emission electric Service Operation Vessel (eSOV), which will operate in the UK and European offshore renewables markets.

The vessel project has recently been awarded £20 million in UK government funding under the Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition. The ZEVI project aims to accelerate the development of clean maritime solutions, and specifically of battery electric vessels and charging infrastructure.

Scope of Work

• Developed the vessel concept for the consortium, based on the OSD-IMT9605 design.
• Designing the vessel to Approval in Principle (AiP) level, including energy and fuel systems verification.
• Verification of energy storage system and methanol system philosophy.
• Supporting shipyard pricing through detailed design development.
• Providing multi-disciplinary expertise, including naval architecture, electrical and structural engineering, hydrodynamics, and marine operations.
• Integration of hybrid propulsion using a 20MWh battery system and dual-fuel methanol generators.
• Contributing to the first-of-its-kind zero-emission SOV, aligned with ZEVI funding goals and offshore wind decarbonisation targets.

Results

• Enabled the world’s first zero-emission eSOV design, setting a new benchmark for clean offshore support vessels.
• Secured Approval in Principle (AiP) pathway for the innovative hybrid energy system.
• Supported successful award of £20 million in ZEVI funding, validating technical and environmental credibility.
• Delivered a practical, buildable design that balances innovation with shipyard feasibility.
• Advanced decarbonisation in offshore wind operations, supporting broader net-zero goals.
• Demonstrated the viability of methanol and battery hybrid propulsion for real-world offshore applications.
• Reinforced Longitude’s leadership in clean vessel design through successful consortium collaboration.

The value we delivered 

How does our work help the client/what value does it unlock?

• Blended deep technical expertise across naval architecture, alternative fuels, and energy storage to solve complex design challenges.
• Bridged concept to feasibility, delivering a design ready for Approval in Principle and shipyard pricing.
• Provided integrated, multi-disciplinary consultancy, reducing design risk and streamlining project execution.
• Leveraged proven OSD-IMT design heritage, ensuring a reliable and adaptable vessel platform.
• Enabled funding success by supporting a robust, technically sound proposal for ZEVI.