Ta San Shang Marine (TSSM) expands its capacity to serve offshore wind farms with the launching of TSS Challenger a new CSOV 9020 vessel built by Damen in Ha Long, Vietnam, the vessel is scheduled to join the company’s fleet in early 2027.
The vessel will be used for the construction and maintenance of offshore wind farms in Taiwanese waters, there, it will operate alongside the TSS Cruiser, another Damen vessel previously acquired by the company.
TSSM is a joint venture between the Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and the Taiwanese company Ta Tong Marine. The addition of the TSS Challenger strengthens a fleet specializing in transporting personnel, equipment, and supplies to offshore energy facilities.
An 88-meter CSOV for offshore operations
He TSS Challenger it is based on the Damen CSOV 9020 design and is approximately 88 meters long, its configuration allows it to accommodate up to 120 people, including crew, technicians, and other personnel involved in operations.
The design also incorporates accommodation for workers and storage capacity for equipment and supplies. These features allow for extended operations throughout various phases of the offshore wind farm’s life cycle.
One of its main components is the motion-compensated gangway, designed to facilitate the transfer of technicians between the ship and offshore structures even under variable conditions at sea.
The vessel also features dynamic positioning, a technology that allows the vessel to maintain a specific location using its own propulsion and control systems.
Hybrid propulsion and preparation for green methanol
Furthermore, Damen has incorporated a system into the CSOV 9020 diesel-electric hybrid propulsion combined with an optimized hull. The configuration aims to decrease fuel consumption and reduce emissions during operations.
The design is also prepared for future adaptation to metanol verde this capability would allow the use of an alternative fuel when its availability increases and there is sufficient supply infrastructure in the markets where the vessel operates.
This preparation is relevant for a vessel intended to remain in service for years, as it allows its energy system to be adapted to future changes in the supply of marine fuels.
The TSS Challenger will join the fleet in 2027
Following its scheduled delivery in early 2027, the TSS Challenger will join the TSS Cruiser, also built by Damen. The latter was delivered to TSSM in May 2026.
The company also operates the TSS Pioneer Delivered in 2022, with these vessels, TSSM increases its resources to provide services to offshore wind projects in Asia.
The growth of the fleet is closely linked to the operational needs of Taiwan’s wind farms, where CSOVs can serve as platforms for technicians during construction, inspection, and maintenance tasks.
Thus, the arrival of the TSS Challenger will add specialized capacity for TSSM’s offshore operations and expand the presence of Damen’s CSOV 9020 vessels in the Asian wind market.
Source and photo: OffshoreWIND
