Caterpillar to partner with Jackson Offshore for hybrid solution

Caterpillar Marine is partnering with Jackson Offshore Operators to pilot an integrated hybrid energy solution that will help the Louisiana-based offshore marine services firm reduce fuel consumption and diesel exhaust emissions on board one of its platform supply vessels (PSV).

The solution, which will include a new energy storage system (ESS) to compliment the vessel’s existing twin 2,815 hp Caterpillar 3516C main diesel generators and twin 1,220 hp Caterpillar C32 gensets, will be demonstrated on board Jackson Offshore’s 4,357 DWT, 252-foot-long Thunder, a GPA 675-J PSV designed by Guido Perla & Associates and built by BAE Systems Southeast in 2015.

Caterpillar Marine and Jackson Offshore said they will work together on the hybrid energy solution through 2023 to enable implementation of the fuel-saving and emissions-reducing technology. Following the upgrade, the partners will monitor the Thunder’s performance to further optimize energy use in dynamic positioning (DP), transit and port operations.