Norton Rose Fulbright advises Bibby Marine on shipbuilding contract to deliver first zero-emission offshore wind farm vessel

Global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright has advised Bibby Marine on a shipbuilding contract to deliver the world’s first truly zero-emission, electric Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (eCSOV).

The eCSOV, which will be built at Astilleros Gondán’s shipyard in Asturias, Spain, is expected to be delivered in 2026. Designed in collaboration with UK-based ship designers Longitude, it will feature a powerful battery system, complemented by dual-fuel methanol engines for emissions-free operations. 

The vessel will also feature high-voltage offshore charging facilities for rapid recharging and will have the capability to operate solely on battery power for over 16 hours between charging cycles. The eCSOV project is part of the Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure scheme, funded by the UK Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK, which seeks to promote the development of technology necessary to decarbonise the UK maritime sector.

Norton Rose Fulbright advised Bibby Marine on the negotiation of the shipbuilding contract and related structuring aspects. The team was led by partners Andrew Williams and Philip Roche, with additional support on specific elements provided by partners Matthew Hodkin and Miranda Cole, and associate Julia Kampouridi.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s shipping team offers the full range of legal services needed by today’s shipping companies. Its specialist shipping lawyers advise on areas ranging from complex structured finance, export credit finance and anti-competitive actions to ship conversion disputes, offshore disputes, the latest environmental regulation and the impact of blockchain and the digitalisation of the whole industry.