FRS Windcat Offshore Logistics expands CTV fleet

With the delivery of modern “Windcat 61” at the end of November, followed by its sister vessel “Windcat 62” in mid-December, the Flensburg-based joint venture FWOL adds two more vessels to its CTV fleet. In 2026, the newbuilds “Windcat 64” and “Windcat 65” will further strengthen fleet capacity.

All four vessels are part of the new MK5 series from Windcat – a development combining the strengths of the proven MK3.5 design with the advantages of the larger MK4 type. The vessels can accommodate 24 passengers and three crew members. They achieve a service speed of over 25 knots and a maximum speed of 30 knots. The design offers enhanced transfer capabilities, a modernised layout and optimised efficiency. The first vessels of this type are already operating successfully in various offshore wind projects across Europe, demonstrating high reliability, excellent seakeeping and low fuel consumption.

The MK5-class CTVs are 27.4 meters in length and feature a flush forward working deck. The optimised hull shape and increased freeboard provide crew and passengers with higher comfort.

Efficiency also remains a key focus: Servogear’s Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) combined with the hull design enable economical fuel consumption and precise maneuverability – even under challenging offshore conditions.

Sustainability is also prioritised: All four newbuilds will be hydrogen-ready. The powerful MAN engines and onboard systems are prepared for hydrogen use, allowing future operation with this alternative, zero-emission fuel.

The hulls of the four vessels were built by Alu-International in Gdańsk, Poland, with final outfitting carried out at the well-established shipyards Dok-en-Scheepsbouw Woudsend and Neptune in Hardinxveld, Netherlands.

"With the MK5 newbuilds, we are once again setting standards in efficiency and reliability for the offshore wind industry while preparing for future challenges with alternative propulsion systems," says Willem van der Wel, Managing Director of FWOL.

Tim Kunstmann, also Managing Director of FWOL, adds: " Expanding our fleet gives us even greater flexibility to meet our customers’ needs. We are providing state-of-the-art CTVs, perfectly designed for the demands of today’s and tomorrow’s offshore wind farms."
 

About FRS Windcat Offshore Logistics:
FRS Windcat Offshore Logistics GmbH (FWOL) is a joint venture between Flensburger FRS Offshore GmbH & Co. KG and Windcat Workboats BV. Together, the companies have more than 20 years of experience in offshore logistics, with over 3 million safe transfers in offshore wind farms. They currently operates around 60 CTVs across the offshore wind, oil & gas and other offshore sectors, making the group of companies one of Europe’s leading providers of personnel transfer vessels. In addition to focusing on German and Danish waters, FWOL expanded its reach with the establishment of FRS Windcat Polska Sp. z o.o. in Poland in 2018, highlighting the company’s ambition to lead in sustainable offshore logistics solutions on the Polish market. FRS Offshore is a 100% subsidiary of Flensburger FRS GmbH & Co. KG, the parent company of the FRS Group in Flensburg.
 

About FRS:
The FRS Group, based in Flensburg, is a leading global operator of high-speed catamarans. Over the years, FRS has grown from a regional passenger ferry operator into an internationally active company with around 1,500 employees, operating arround 70 vessels worldwide. The group includes 14 subsidiaries across Europe, North America and the Caribbean. In northern Germany, FRS Syltfähre and FRS Elbfähre Glückstadt-Wischhafen are well-known.

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Contact
Tim Kunstmann, Managing Director FRS Windcat Offshore Logistics
[email protected]
 

About Windcat
Windcat is a leading provider of safe and efficient specialist crew transfer services to the offshore energy industry and has been at the forefront for more than 20 years. Windcat owns and operates a growing fleet of over 55 CTVs and 1 CSOV, with 7 CTVs and 5 CSOVs under construction.
Windcat is a part of CMB.TECH. CMB.TECH is one of the largest listed, diversified and future-proof maritime groups in the world with a fleet of about 250 vessels: dry bulk vessels, crude oil tankers, chemical tankers, container vessels, offshore energy vessels and port vessels. CMB.TECH also offers hydrogen and ammonia fuel to customers, through own production or third-party producers. CMB.TECH’s hydrogen technology is integrated into all Windcat’s newbuild vessels to reduce their clients' CO2 emissions. Several hydrogen-powered CTVs are already in operation.

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Contact CMB.TECH
Katrien Hennin, Head of Marketing and Communications
[email protected]