Every year, the Norwegian maritime trade publication Skipsrevyen awards its prestigious "Ship of the Year" title, one of the most highly regarded honours in the global shipbuilding industry. This year, two vessels whose hulls were built by Crist S.A. shipyard in Gdynia have been nominated for the award.

Presented annually by Skipsrevyen since 1997, the Ship of the Year award recognises the world's most innovative and technologically advanced vessels. From the outset, its aim has been to promote cutting-edge ship design, high-quality construction standards and technologies that enhance the efficiency and safety of maritime operations.

While the award initially focused largely on vessels serving the oil and gas sector, recent years have seen growing recognition for hybrid and low-emission ships, as well as vessels supporting the energy transition, including those serving the offshore wind industry and subsea cable installation projects.

Today, the award is regarded as a symbol of the shipping industry's future direction, with decarbonisation, digitalisation and advanced maritime technologies playing a central role.

This year, two vessels whose hulls were built by Crist S.A. in Gdynia for Ulstein Verft have been shortlisted: Nexans Electra and Windea Carnot. According to the organisers, each nomination reflects close cooperation between shipowners, designers, shipyards and technology suppliers.

Construction of the Nexans Electra hull at Crist S.A. began in January 2024. Less than 15 months later, the vessel was officially delivered and departed Gdynia for final outfitting in Norway. Once completed, the vessel entered service with a French offshore company. The 155-metre vessel has been designed for the transportation, installation, protection, repair and jointing of subsea power cables.

Meanwhile, Windea Carnot was delivered to shipowner Bernhard Schulte Offshore in March this year. The vessel is a Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) measuring almost 90 metres in length and just over 12 metres in beam. It features Ulstein Group's Twin X-Stern design, which provides exceptional manoeuvrability. Propulsion units located at both the bow and stern enable the vessel to operate between offshore wind turbines without turning around, regardless of wave and wind direction. The vessel is also equipped with a hybrid battery propulsion system and has been prepared for the future use of methanol as a marine fuel.

The vessel has been designed for operations and maintenance (O&M) activities, as well as to support offshore construction work in demanding marine environments. The CSOV provides single-occupancy accommodation for up to 90 offshore personnel. Safe personnel transfer is ensured by an adjustable-height walk-to-work gangway mounted on an elevator tower.

Windea Carnot is also equipped with a helicopter landing deck. Offshore cargo operations are supported by a 3D motion-compensated crane with a lifting capacity of up to five tonnes, while extensive storage areas and logistics solutions enhance the vessel's operational capabilities at sea.

Votes can be casted under this link – HERE.

The winner of the Ship of the Year award will be announced in early September during the opening day of the SMM trade fair in Hamburg.

Photo: Ulstein Verft