Built by Detroit Brasil at its Itajaí shipyard for Starnav Serviços Marítimos, the 92.1-meter, 5,500-dwt PSV is the first in a planned series of up to 10 battery-hybrid vessels, including six PSVs and four oil spill response vessels. The vessel carries the ABS ESS-LiBATTERY and HYBRID notations along with the SUSTAIN-1 notation. It will operate under a long-term charter to Petrobras, supporting the company’s offshore logistics operations in Brazilian waters.
The vessel’s 1,322 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery system was developed to meet the operator’s dynamic positioning class 2 (DP2) requirements. This includes the ability to maintain position on battery power for up to 20 minutes in the event of a single engine failure.
“Brazil’s offshore energy sector is expanding quickly, and the vessels that support it need to keep pace with evolving operational demands and regulatory requirements. Starnav Elektra shows what’s possible when an operator, shipyard and class work together to translate technical innovation into operation performance,” said Matt Tremblay, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Markets.
The battery pack is installed on the main deck rather than in the hull, a configuration intended to simplify maintenance access and reduce risk. The system will also allow Starnav Elektra to run on fewer generators while maintaining safety margins, reducing fuel consumption, emissions, and engine maintenance cycles.
“Starnav Elektra also represents a technological milestone. We are delivering a vessel built for the next generation of global shipping. She is a hybrid vessel, equipped with an advanced BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) and ready to operate on renewable fuels such as HVO. This vessel was designed not only to meet today’s requirements, but to meet the requirements of the future,” said Carlos Eduardo Pereira, Starnav CEO.
As offshore energy development accelerates in Brazilian waters, ABS continues to support the vessels and operators keeping pace with it. Learn more about how ABS is working with the support vessel fleet here.
