Posted on February 15, 2022
Offshore wind crew transfer vessel (CTV) owner and operator American Offshore Services LLC (A-O-S) has formed a strategic partnership that will see Orion Infrastructure Capital provide financing to build a series of CTVs at Blount Boats in Warren, R.I.
Formed in 2020, A-O-S is a joint venture between European CTV operator, Northern Offshore Services (N-O-S), and U.S. offshore logistics company, SEA.O.G Offshore, which is part of the Crosby Tugs group of companies.
In November, A-O-S placed an order for four hybrid-ready CTVs from Blount Boats with plans for further expansion.
The new Jones Act compliant, 99-foot G-class vessels are based on best-in-class N-O-S CTV design, offering high efficiency and maximized performance. The aluminum catamarans will be powered by quad Volvo Penta IPS drives and will have a special compartment set aside for batteries to make the vessels hybrid-ready.
“A-O-S is thrilled to have the support of Orion. These partnerships are requisite to sustain our energy transition; and by building a hybrid-ready, Jones Act fleet for offshore wind farm construction, operations, and maintenance, we are doing just that,” said James Clouse, A-O-S CEO.
“We are excited to partner with A-O-S and finance the next generation of Jones Act compliant CTVs. These vessels are crucial to the successful construction of renewable power generation, which will be capable of powering millions of homes across the East Coast,” said Ethan Shoemaker, Investment Partner and Head of Infra Credit at OIC. “This partnership supports Orion’s objective to continue championing sustainable infrastructure. On behalf of the OIC team, we would like to thank James and his colleagues for selecting Orion to be their capital partner.”
