FRMay 9, 2025
We are proud to announce that AIRCAT Vessels, in collaboration with ESNA Espeland & Skomedal Naval Architects and Strategic Marine, has received the 2024 Best High-Speed Crewboat Award from Baird Maritime for the Energy Craft 3514-01.
The trio of Energy Craft 3514 vessels was developed for offshore personnel transport operations, particularly in the oil and gas sector in West Africa. Thanks to SES (Surface Effect Ship) technology, these air-cushion catamarans reach speeds exceeding 50 knots while maintaining excellent stability even in rough sea conditions. The active air cushion and motion-control system reduce vibrations, improve onboard comfort, and decrease hull resistance, resulting in greater energy efficiency.
According to Arthur Fraccaro, Business Development Manager at AIRCAT, the air-cushion technology significantly enhances speed, comfort, and fuel efficiency compared to conventional crewboats. The vessel’s design also reduces fuel consumption.
“The result is a fast, reliable, and comfortable vessel that perfectly meets the demands of the oil and gas industry.”
The vessel’s development nevertheless presented several challenges. As the first unit of its series, sea trials required precise adjustments to achieve the correct trim. Some equipment designed for lower speeds was not suitable for a vessel capable of reaching 50 knots.
At AIRCAT, continuous improvement is a fundamental part of our vision. Our vessels are considered evolving platforms, refined over time based on operator feedback. We remain attentive to regulatory developments, even though some current standards are not yet tailored to SES vessels. Despite the use of diesel engines, the performance of our vessels enables a significant reduction in emissions compared to older designs.
This recognition from Baird Maritime confirms the relevance of our approach and the added value we bring to the high-speed offshore transport market. It also highlights the strength of the partnership between AIRCAT Vessels, ESNA, and Strategic Marine. We thank all the teams involved in this project and remain committed to advancing innovative maritime solutions.
