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Offshore Power & Charging
In-air offshore vessel charging designed to transfer renewable power directly from offshore wind infrastructure to electric and hybrid vessels operating at sea. MJR's integrated system combines power conversion, automated cable deployment, vessel connection, control, monitoring and safety within one offshore charging solution. The system is commercialised through Charge Offshore, MJR's joint venture with Blackfish Engineering and Tidal Transit, as the Aquarius product range.
System Overview
Taking Renewable Power Directly to Offshore Vessels
MJR's Offshore Power & Charging system enables vessels working around offshore wind farms to connect, receive electrical power and recharge directly from offshore renewable infrastructure. The technology supports electric and hybrid fleets by providing access to power while vessels remain offshore rather than relying solely on port charging or onboard generation.
The system can be installed on an offshore wind turbine, offshore substation, dedicated monopile or other fixed or floating offshore structure. It integrates offshore power conversion, automated deployment, vessel connection and mooring, real-time control, monitoring and safety systems to provide a complete offshore vessel charging infrastructure.
Who this is for Offshore wind developers, CTV and SOV operators, vessel owners, wind-farm operators and offshore asset owners planning electric or hybrid vessel operations.
Charge Offshore
Brought to Market as the Aquarius Range
MJR's offshore charging technology is now available commercially through Charge Offshore, a joint venture formed in 2024 by MJR Power & Automation, Blackfish Engineering and Tidal Transit, with automation and software engineering from Elsys. Within the venture, MJR leads the electrical design of the Aquarius systems, building on its offshore charging development work that began in 2018.
- Aquarius Eco: offshore charging for crew transfer vessels, from 0.5 to 2 MW.
- Aquarius Plus: higher-power charging for service operation vessels, from 2 to 8 MW.
Trial: February 2023
Location: Port of Blyth
Vessel: TIA Elizabeth CTV
Partners: MJR Power & Automation, Blackfish Engineering and Tidal Transit
Offshore trial: 2024, Parkwind Nobelwind offshore wind farm substation, Belgian North Sea
Commercialisation: Charge Offshore joint venture, formed 2024
Key Features
Integrated Offshore Charging, Connection & Control
The charging system combines electrical power conversion with automated mechanical connection, vessel controls, offshore communications, monitoring and safety systems. Its core functions were developed through MJR's harbour and offshore trial programme.
In-Air Connection & Charging
The charging approach keeps the connection equipment out of the splash-zone during normal operation, supporting reliable offshore connection and power transfer.
Automated Reeler & Deployment
The Reeler manages controlled deployment and recovery of the charging cable and connector, allowing the connection sequence to be operated from the vessel.
Real-Time Control & Safety
Integrated control provides automatic, semi-automatic and manual operation together with overload protection, cable load monitoring and emergency release functions.
Monitoring, Authorisation & Reporting
Vessel and wind-farm operators have access to charging authorisation, live system data, energy metering, charger status, operational reporting and historical analytics through the supporting web platform.
Operational Benefits
What Offshore Charging Changes in Operation
Offshore charging allows renewable electricity generated at sea to be used directly by the vessels supporting those assets. It gives operators another route to reduce dependence on onboard diesel generation while extending the practical use of hybrid and electric vessels offshore.
Charge Without Returning to Port
Vessels can access electrical power while remaining within the offshore field instead of returning to port solely for charging.
Reduce Generator Dependence
The system can also provide electrical power to support vessels while standing by, allowing onboard diesel generation to be reduced or shut down where operationally appropriate.
Reduce Manual Handling
Hands-free connection and disconnection reduces the amount of manual intervention required during the offshore charging sequence.
Greater Operational Visibility
Real-time system status, charging data, vessel position, metering and historical information provide operators with greater visibility of offshore charging activity.
System Components
From Offshore Asset to Vessel Batteries
The offshore vessel charging system combines electrical, mechanical, automation and digital technologies into one coordinated charging infrastructure.
- Offshore Power Converter Installed on the turbine, offshore substation or other offshore asset, the converter takes the available wind-farm electrical supply and provides power compatible with the vessel charging system.
- Reeler, Cable & Vessel Connection The automated Reeler deploys and recovers the charging cable and connector, working with the vessel connection and mooring system to maintain controlled cable behaviour throughout the operation.
- Control, Safety & Digital Platform Vessel-side controls, wind-farm control-room monitoring and the web portal manage authorisation, charging status, operational data, metering and reporting.
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Applications
Designed for Offshore Wind & Marine Operations
MJR's Offshore Power & Charging system has been developed around the operating requirements of vessels working on and around offshore wind farms, supporting both vessel charging and offshore power supply.
- Crew Transfer Vessels Offshore charging for electric and hybrid CTVs operating between turbines, substations and offshore wind assets.
- Service Operation Vessels The system architecture supports the development of higher-power offshore charging and power-transfer applications for larger SOV operations.
- Offshore Support & Platform Supply Vessels Offshore electrical supply can reduce dependence on onboard generation while vessels are standing by around offshore assets.
- Offshore Wind O&M Fleets A charging infrastructure route for wind-farm operators seeking to support the electrification of operations and maintenance fleets.
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How It Works
From Vessel Approach to Offshore Charging
MJR's Offshore Power & Charging system coordinates vessel identification, connection, cable deployment, power transfer and disconnection through an integrated control and safety architecture. From the vessel's approach to the offshore asset through to charging completion, operators retain visibility of vessel position, connection status, charging performance and system health while automated deployment, mooring support and emergency protection manage the physical charging process.
Step 001
Authorise the Charging Operation
The vessel operator coordinates the charging operation with the wind-farm control room. Charging access can be managed operationally or through the supporting web platform and booking system.
Step 002
Position the Vessel
The vessel approaches the charging asset and moves into the required operating position with charging-system status visible from the vessel bridge.
Step 003
Deploy & Connect
The automated Reeler deploys the charging cable and connector into the vessel connection system. The charging infrastructure manages connection, mooring support and cable behaviour.
Step 004
Transfer Power & Monitor
Once authorised and connected, electrical power is transferred to the vessel while operators monitor vessel position, charging status, power transfer, battery performance and overall system health.
Step 005
Disconnect & Recover
At completion or if a safety condition requires it — the connector can be released and the Reeler recovers the charging equipment ready for another operation.
Technical Specifications
Offshore Charging Capabilities
Configuration depends on the offshore asset, available electrical supply, vessel type, charging requirements and operating environment. The current system architecture includes the following core functions and interfaces.
- Product range Aquarius Eco (CTVs) and Aquarius Plus (SOVs), supplied through Charge Offshore
- Charging power 0.5–8 MW across the range, depending on product and available offshore supply
- Installation locations Offshore wind turbine, offshore substation, dedicated monopile or other fixed/floating offshore structure
- Power conversion Offshore asset power converter providing vessel-compatible charging supply
- Deployment system Offshore asset power converter providing vessel-compatible charging supply
- Vessel interface Vessel connection and mooring system
- Control operation Automatic, semi-automatic and manual
- Control modes Manual, Follow, Mooring and Positioning
- Operator interfaces Vessel bridge, wind-farm control room and web platform
- Communications Marine-grade wireless vessel-to-offshore communication
- Operator interfaces Marine-grade wireless vessel-to-offshore communication
- Safety functions Overload protection, cable load monitoring and automatic/manual emergency release
- Digital functions Overload protection, cable load monitoring and automatic/manual emergency release
- Applications CTVs, hybrid/electric support vessels, SOVs, PSVs and offshore wind O&M fleets
Share your berth, vessel, electrical supply and shore-to-ship connection requirements with MJR.
Offshore Power & Charging
Projects
Explore projects demonstrating MJR's capability in electrical power conversion, vessel integration, energy storage and marine electrification.
MJR Power & Automation developed and supplied an ‘in-air’ offshore charging system for Parkwind’s Nobelwind wind farm. MJR delivered all electrical and mechanical interface engineering for substation installation. The automatic-coupling system safely transferring power to a CTV from an operational wind farm, with hands-free connection and no disruption to generation.
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VAMOS the marine automation platform for vessel control, alarms, monitoring, power management and operational visibility.
Offshore vessel charging and power-transfer technology for offshore wind vessels and remote marine operations.
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QuayPower™ shore power systems providing integrated shore-to-ship electrical power for vessels in ports and harbours.
X-Wave™ active heave compensation technology for offshore lifting, launch and recovery, and subsea operations.
Offshore Vessel Charging Questions
Find answers to common questions about MJR’s Offshore Power & Charging system, including how offshore vessel charging works, where the system can be installed, which vessel types it can support, how charging is controlled and monitored, and the safety and connection functions built into the overall system.
