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SBM Offshore & Technip Energies Joint Venture (STS JV) and TotalEnergies EP Suriname have signed an agreement with Beyond the Sea to evaluate wind-assisted kite traction towing for Suriname’s GranMorgu FPSO project.
Today, SBM Offshore announced that STS JV– a joint venture formed by SBM Offshore and Technip Energies- and TotalEnergies EP Suriname have signed an agreement to develop, install, test and operate a Wind Assisted Towing System (WATS) on the GranMorgu FPSO.
The project is in collaboration with Beyond the Sea, a French company specialized in innovative kite traction solutions that provide an efficient and scalable alternative to traditional propulsion methods for all types of vessels.
Its main objective is to reduce towing duration and fuel consumption by implementing a kite traction system during the towing of the FPSO from the construction site in China to its final destination in Suriname, while also serving as a use case to validate this technology for large-scale vessels.
It will utilize Beyond the Sea’s SeaKite® 2400 system which, depending on wind conditions, can provide automated traction throughout the journey.
The project will be delivered through a phased R&D approach, covering technology development and qualification, costs and operational readiness as well as an intensive on shore test program before integration on the FPSO in China. Progression to subsequent stages will depend on meeting predefined technical and safety criteria.
Other main objectives are to validate the kite’s wing launching and recovery system, as well as collecting data for the system sizing optimization using digital modelling.
Given its innovative nature and its application to a complex offshore development, the initiative represents a first-of-a-kind application of kite traction towing for an FPSO, requiring close coordination between all stakeholders, and a very specific approach of risk management due to the nature of the vessel.
Laurent Le Touze, SBM Offshore’ s Group Technology and Product Development Director said: “Working together with TotalEnergies and Beyond the Sea, we are evaluating how wind-assisted propulsion can contribute to lower-carbon and more energy-efficient offshore logistics for the GranMorgu project, while also supporting the development of innovative maritime solutions with broader decarbonization potential. Decarbonization is one of our strategic priorities and we are very much looking forward to assessing new future opportunities in this field”.
Frédéric Beys, TotalEnergies GranMorgu Project Director stated: “Improving energy efficiency remains a constant driver in our developments. Beyond the Sea offers a solution that fully aligns with this objective, and we are proud to support the challenge of scaling up the Seakite system during the towing phase of the GranMorgu Project. We believe this initiative will demonstrate a significant step forward, paving the way for innovative wind-assisted propulsion solutions in maritime transport.”
Yves Parlier, founder of Beyond the Sea said: “I founded Beyond the Sea with the conviction that wind, and more specifically kite traction, can contribute to the decarbonization of maritime transport, by adapting to different types of vessels and uses. We are therefore delighted to contribute, alongside TotalEnergies and SBM Offshore, to the GranMorgu project, by working on the integration of a SeaKite 2400 on an FPSO. This project represents an important step for us in the development of our technology. In a particularly demanding offshore environment, our ambition is to meet this challenge with humility and determination, progressively demonstrating that kite traction propulsion can become a reliable, operational and effective solution. This collaboration will enable us to take a new step in the traction capacity of our systems and to measure their concrete impact in service of maritime decarbonization.”
Media contacts: SBM Offshore: Giampaolo Arghittu, Head of External Relations, +31 6 212 6233; Giampaolo.arghittu@sbmoffshore.com TotalEnergies: Jean-François Stachera – Performance & Engagement Manager, +33 6 03 31 99 86, jean-francois.stachera@totalenergies.com Beyond the Sea: Lorine Tracol – Marketing Manager, +33 6 63 44 58 11, communication@beyond-the-sea.fr
SBM Offshore:
SBM Offshore is a global leader in deepwater ocean infrastructure, delivering floating production solutions across the full asset lifecycle—from design and construction to installation and operation. Supported by a global team of more than 8,000 professionals, the company operates a long-term, asset-backed business model that delivers high-availability assets and predictable cash flows. SBM Offshore combines engineering expertise, operational reliability, and selective innovation to support safe, efficient, and lower-carbon energy production, while extending its capabilities into new opportunities across the blue economy. More info: www.sbmoffshore.com
TotalEnergies:
TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas, biogas and low-carbon hydrogen, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to provide as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations. www.totalenergies.com
Beyond the Sea:
Beyond the Sea develops and markets kites that can be used on all types of vessels (from pleasure boats to shipping). These kites allow the wind’s power to be used in addition to the vessel’s engine. By harnessing the wind, we reduce the energy requirements of ships, while proportionally reducing their greenhouse gas emissions. These kites also provide additional safety for sailors, as a backup propulsion system. More information : http://beyond-the-sea.com/en/
