Damen Shipyards Group has delivered the TSS Cruiser, a hybrid diesel-electric, methanol-ready CSOV 9020, to Taiwanese joint venture Ta San Shang Marine. The 90-meter walk-to-work vessel has deployed to the 1 GW Hai Long Offshore Wind Farm to support large-scale turbine construction and commissioning operations in the Taiwan Strait.
Vietnam | May 11, 2026 – Advancing Asia-Pacific’s massive build-out of renewable energy infrastructure, the Damen Shipyards Group has officially delivered the TSS Cruiser, the first of two Commissioning Service Operations Vessels (CSOV) 9020.
The handover, completed in Ha Long, Vietnam, following rigorous sea trials in Ha Long Bay, places a state-of-the-art subsea and walk-to-work asset into the fleet of Ta San Shang Marine Co., Ltd. (TSSM). TSSM is a prominent regional joint venture co-established by Japanese shipping conglomerate Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Taiwan’s Ta Tong Marine Co., Ltd.
The highly specialized vessel departed Vietnam on May 6, 2026, steaming directly for the Hai Long Offshore Wind Farm in the Taiwan Strait. There, it will immediately begin supporting construction, commissioning, and long-term turbine maintenance operations.
Anchoring the 1 GW Hai Long Mega-Project
The deployment of the TSS Cruiser arrives at a critical operational phase for Taiwan’s renewable goals. The vessel is booked for immediate service at the multi-phase Hai Long Offshore Wind Farm, a 1,044 MW mega-development located 45 to 70 kilometers off the Changhua coast.
The wind farm relies on a fleet of giant Siemens Gamesa (SG 14-222 DD) 14-megawatt offshore wind turbines anchored to massive tripod jacket foundations in water depths up to 55 meters. Given the extreme seismic activity, typhoon risks, and powerful subsea currents characteristic of the Taiwan Strait, the TSS Cruiser will provide the stabilizing link required to safely transfer technicians and delicate parts to the structures.
Speaking at the naming ceremony, Mr. Hrong-Nain Lin, Chairman of TSSM, said, “On behalf of TSSM, I would like to thank the Damen Group. Your professionalism, efficiency, and strong teamwork have made the successful delivery of this vessel possible. Our mission is to support Taiwan’s offshore wind industry and to contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable ocean. TSS Cruiser represents our core values – putting people first and maintaining a strong commitment to safety and quality.”
Technical Profile: High-Capacity Walk-to-Work Logistics
The CSOV 9020 design represents a shift away from traditional, repurposed offshore supply vessels toward purpose-built subsea logistics hubs.
| Metric / Parameter | Technical Specification |
| Vessel Class | Damen CSOV 9020 (The Elevation Series) |
| Length Overall | 90.00 meters |
| Total Accommodation | 120 Offshore Personnel (Charterer Technicians & Marine Crew) |
| Personnel Transfer | Advanced Motion-Compensated Walk-to-Work Gangway |
| Drivetrain Architecture | Hybrid Diesel-Electric with Damen DPX Drive |
| Decarbonization Pathway | Outfitted for full future conversion to Methanol Propulsion |
| Station Keeping | Advanced Dynamic Positioning Performance |
Future-Proofed Drivetrain: The Methane & Alcohol Strategy
As regional emissions penalties loom closer for Asia-Pacific domestic trade loops, Damen and TSSM have structurally future-proofed the vessel’s primary power grid.
Hybrid Diesel-Electric Layout
The TSS Cruiser operates on a highly optimized hybrid diesel-electric propulsion network. This architecture allows the vessel to smooth out severe peak loads (“peak shaving”) using on-board battery banks, preventing engine strain and maximizing dynamic positioning (DP) efficiency during heavy sea states.
The Methanol-Ready Blueprint
To fulfill TSSM’s mandate for clean ocean operations, the CSOV 9020 hull, tank layout, and piping arrays have been pre-engineered for future conversion to methanol propulsion. Once green methanol bunkering infrastructure matures in Taiwanese ports, the vessel can be retrofitted with minimal drydock downtime, enabling virtually carbon-neutral offshore wind support rotations.
Advanced Station Keeping
Equipped with the proprietary Damen DPX Drive, the vessel integrates an optimized hull form with high-efficiency azimuth thrusters. The system lowers fuel consumption by up to 20% compared to traditional DP setups while offering superior station keeping inside the turbulent turbine fields.
High-Standard Construction in Vietnam
The TSS Cruiser was built at one of Damen’s key partner facilities in Ha Long, Vietnam. The shipyard is engineered specifically to meet the strict quality thresholds and heavy structural plating tolerances required of complex offshore support craft.
Bram Langeveld, Chief Commercial Officer of Damen, said, “I would like to offer my heartfelt appreciation to TSSM for placing its trust in Damen. You have been a true partner during this project. Your collaborative spirit and unwavering professionalism have been instrumental in bringing this vessel to life. Together, we have turned obstacles into opportunities, and challenges into progress.”
Following the successful delivery of this first unit, construction is already well underway on the sister vessel. The second Damen CSOV 9020 is scheduled for delivery to TSSM early next year, expanding the joint venture’s fleet capacity as Taiwan races toward its national target of installing 15 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2035.
Damen Shipyards Group
Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Gorinchem, Netherlands, Damen Shipyards is a premier, family-owned international shipbuilding company. Operating a global network of 36 yards, Damen has delivered over 6,500 vessels across the defense, tugboat, offshore energy, and public transport sectors. The company revolutionized the industry by pioneering standardized, modular hull construction, allowing it to supply highly reliable, cost-efficient vessels to customers faster than traditional shipbuilders.
Today, Damen is leveraging its proven serial production model to drive the global maritime energy transition, aiming to become the world’s most sustainable shipbuilder. Through extensive knowledge sharing and international partnerships, the group integrates advanced digitalization, hybrid drivetrains, and alternative fuel systems, such as methanol and pure-electric propulsion, across its fleet, ensuring a sustainable, zero-emission future for the next generation.
Source: Damen