Stillstrom Completes 11 kV Unit for Vessel Charging at Offshore Wind Farms

Stillstrom by Maersk has completed the construction and factory acceptance testing of a vessel-mounted unit designed to enable service operation vessels (SOVs) to charge their batteries directly from offshore wind farms.

The Vessel Container Unit (VCU) houses the 11 kV connection equipment that links a vessel to the offshore charging infrastructure. Its modular design allows it to be installed at the bow, stern or under the deck, and integrated into both newbuild and existing vessels. The unit can also be transferred between vessels where the necessary onboard cabling is available.

The factory acceptance testing was witnessed by DNV. Stillstrom said the VCU’s integrated connection and control systems are designed to manage charging and disconnection while allowing vessels to maintain their position offshore.

The company said the milestone covers the vessel-side connection equipment, while work on the offshore infrastructure that will supply power to vessels is continuing, with the complete charging system expected to be ready for extended offshore trials by summer 2027, as the interface on the wind farm side progresses towards completion by the middle of next year.

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