Author: Anja Thulstrup Nielsen

After an extensive refit, the Fulton Energi I departed from Hvide Sande Shipyard. The traditional vessel has been extensively transformed into a modern, fully functional training ship. Now its ready to welcome youngsters for seamanship instruction and active sailing.

A comprehensive project

The renovation of Fulton Energi I included substantial upgrades to the interior and exterior of the vessel. The entire hull was sandblasted and treated with a new protective coating to ensure its durability and longevity. Inside, the wheelhouse was carefully renovated. The deckhouse was extended to include two additional cabins and a new toilet facility. The engine room was significantly upgraded with the installation of a 129 kW John Deere main engine and shaft arrangement, supplied by West Diesel.

All auxiliary systems were modernized to integrate with the new propulsion setup. Electrical installations across the vessel were thoroughly inspected and updated to meet current operational standards. In line with Hvide Sande Shipyard’s commitment to sustainability, solar panels were installed to improve the vessel’s energy efficiency.

A modern training ship with new purpose

The Fulton Foundation acquired Fulton Energi I with the intention of using it as a platform for maritime education and sailing activities. The mission was clear: expand and modernize the vessel to support its new role. Significant improvements to the accommodation areas and technical systems were required to meet the functional and regulatory demands of a modern educational environment.

The Danish Maritime Authority has officially classified the vessel as a cargoship. Constructed of steel, the vessel measures 19,28 meters in length, with a beam of 5,7 meters and a draft of 2,9 meters.

Jakob Jensen, director of Fulton Foundation, reflects on the project, “It has been a pleasure to follow the transformation of Fulton Energi I. We have worked hard to create a ship that is not only technically updated and provides the best possible framework for teaching and living aboard. It’s a comprehensive renovation where we have emphasized both functionality and comfort.”

Ready for new adventures

The result is a vessel that meets today’s technical, functional, and environmental standards. With its renewed visual identity and improved onboard experience, Fulton Energi I is now ready for future sailing. Technical upgrades support efficient operation, and the renewed interior layout offers a more comfortable environment for life at sea. The ship is ready to serve for many years to come, confidently and reliably fulfilling its new purpose.

Gallery

ESVAGT, OSK Design, and Hvide Sande Shipyard have joined forces to raise the bar in offshore wind logistics with the development of a next-generation transfer boat. The new boat is larger, more robust, and designed to carry more technicians and cargo. Technicians were very satisfied after testing in March.

ESVAGT revolutionized offshore wind operations when it introduced the boat transfer of wind turbine technicians using its purpose-built Safe Transfer Boats (STBs).

These boats filled a critical market need, and today, the STB concept – featuring experienced seafarers and custom-designed boats plays a vital role in enhancing flexibility and efficiency across offshore wind farms throughout Europe.

Now, ESVAGT, in collaboration with OSK Design and Hvide Sande Shipyard, is taking the next step with the STB15: a larger boat capable of transferring more technicians and cargo. In addition to traditional boat landings, it also supports the GUS system, which hoists technicians directly onto the turbine platform.

“Our SOV concept together with transfer boats has proven its potential and created a demand for handling even more tasks with STBs,” says Søren Westphal, Senior Project Manager at ESVAGT and head of boat development in ESVAGT.

Strong partnership

ESVAGT has once again entrusted Hvide Sande Shipyard with the construction of the new boat, who also build the predecessor STB12: “We’ve had great experiences with Hvide Sande Shipyard as an innovative, skilled, and quality-conscious partner. Together, we have developed a boat that adds even more value to renewable energy production,” says Søren Westphal.

CEO Carl Erik Kristensen of Hvide Sande Shipyard is proud of the continued partnership: “We’re pleased to build on our strong and trusted relationship with ESVAGT in developing the next generation of STBs for the wind industry. ESVAGT is deeply committed to incorporating the experiences from the seafarers in the vessel design, which makes the project especially rewarding for us,” he says.

Facts

The Safe Transfer Boat 15 (STB15) is designed for use at the Hornsea offshore wind farms.

The STB15 will be used to transfer technician, move cargo and spare parts and transport supplies and personnel to shore. Crucially it will be able to transfer cargo and technicians in rougher seas than before, which will expand the potential of using the boat even more.

STB15 offers increased capacity for both personnel and cargo compared to the STB12.

Technicians will spend more time onboard, so the boat is equipped for more difficult weather conditions without causing seasickness. That’s why it features a stabilizer and interceptor system to reduce motion both at rest and underway — greatly improving the comfort on board the boat.

Hvide Sande Shipyard proudly announces the successful restoration of Carmelan, a nearly century-old wooden vessel, which has been meticulously revitalized after more than a year of dedicated craftsmanship. This project represents a rare full-scale wooden ship restoration, blending traditional shipbuilding techniques with modern maritime standards.

Preserving heritage while integrating modern functionality

Originally built as a fishing vessel in 1927 at the Hjørne & Jacobsen shipyard in Frederikshavn, Carmelan carries a rich maritime legacy. Restoring such a historic vessel required an expert understanding of classic shipbuilding methods while ensuring compliance with modern safety and operational requirements. The result is a ship that maintains its original character while meeting contemporary performance expectations.

“The knowledge of old traditional shipbuilding and the exceptional craftsmanship of the employees at Hvide Sande Shipyard have enabled the Carmelan to remain the Carmelan of 1927 and that history and the latest technology have found harmony during the restoration,” – Hans-Julius Ahlmann, sponsor of the Carmelan and Managing Partner of the Schleswig-Holstein-based ACO Group

With its next chapter set to include occasional transatlantic voyages, Carmelan’s restoration was a careful balance of preserving its heritage while integrating enhanced features. The beautifully finished interiors and intricately milled ornamental detailing in the hatch chambers now reflect both its storied past and its modernized functionality.

A full-scale restoration of the old wooden vessel

The non-profit charity owning the Carmelan today, envisioned a vessel that would preserve its historical significance. However, the ship’s initial condition necessitated a major overhaul, making this one of the most ambitious wooden ship restorations undertaken at Hvide Sande Shipyard.

A key challenge was sourcing high-quality timber, a process requiring extensive research to ensure both durability and authenticity. The successful acquisition of these materials was instrumental in maintaining Carmelan’s structural integrity.

In addition to the structural restoration, Carmelan received a new main engine and shaft arrangement, including a gear with PTO that drives a generator – allowing the vessel to charge its battery bank while powered by wind. Following a full rigging update, Carmelan underwent successful sea trials, confirming that all modernized systems functioned seamlessly.

About Carmelan

First launched as Kristian, Carmelan began its life in the Danish fishing industry before being sold to a German owner in 1978. Over the decades, it has served multiple roles, including youth sailing, chartering, and extended voyages. Today, Carmelan is owned by a non-profit organization.

Over its long history, the Carmelan has gathered many supporters who are committed to preserving the ship and promoting traditional shipping in the Baltic Sea, including Hans-Julius and Iver Ahlmann, managing partners of the ACO Group, a leading watertech company based in Schleswig-Holstein.

The restoration of the wooden vessel, Carmelan, is a testament to Hvide Sande Shipyard’s dedication to preserving maritime heritage while ensuring vessels remain seaworthy, sustainable, and suited for modern demands. We take pride in delivering a ship that seamlessly bridges the past and the future, ready to sail for many years to come.

Gallery: Before restoration

Gallery: After restoration

40 minutes. That’s how long Seasight Group and the affiliates Hvide Sande Shipyard and Seasight Solutions had to present their combined competencies and portfolio of products for the Danish Navy to Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen during his visit to Ringkøbing today.

Despite the limited time, a clear direction was set: Hvide Sande Shipyard and its partners OSK Group and Karstensens Skibsværft are ready to deliver the next generation of environmental ships to the Danish Navy – already from the end of 2027, if a contract can be signed soon.

Solid experience with the Danish Armed Forces

Seasight Group, which Hvide Sande Shipyard is a part, has worked with the Danish Armed Forces since the early 1990s. With more than 30 years of cooperation and experience, both the Danish Defense Materiel and Procurement Agency (FMI) and the Danish Armed Forces know the value of the solutions delivered from Hvide Sande.

“Our strength is the more than 30 years of experience we have in working with the Armed Forces. FMI knows what we stand for – both at Seasight Solutions and Hvide Sande Shipyard – credibility and customized solutions in high quality,” emphasizes Jeppe Hoff, COO at Hvide Sande Shipyard.

This history was highlighted to the Minister as an essential foundation for taking part in the upcoming investments in the modernization of the fleet.

A commitment to contribute to Denmark’s security

Seasight Solutions – another subsidiary of Seasight Group – is already experiencing a significant increase in demand from the defense industry. They see it as a natural task to provide capacity and expertise to the Armed Forces at a time when European security is under pressure.

“It’s a sad background, but we have an obligation as a Danish supplier to make ourselves available when help is needed,” says Thomas Halkjær Kristensen, CEO of Seasight Solutions.

With products such as specialized platforms, access roads and stairs, Seasight Solutions has served the Danish Army, Navy and Air Force for years – and the ambitions are clear: Danish suppliers can and should play an even bigger role in the future of defense.

Speed and quality

During his visit, the Minister of Defense emphasized that future deliveries must be made at high speed without compromising on quality – a requirement that Hvide Sande Shipyard and Seasight Solutions are fully prepared to meet.

“We currently have a record order book across the companies in the Seasight Group. Despite this, we have clear and realistic ambitions to attend in the construction of ships for the Danish fleet, where we together with OSK and Karstensens Skibsværft in Skagen will be able to deliver the first environmental ship by the end of 2027,” says Carl Erik Kristensen, CEO of Seasight Group.

Behind the ambition is not only the many years of experience as a supplier to the Danish Armed Forces, but also a targeted focus on strengthening Denmark’s maritime defense capacity with fast deliveries and high quality. Hvide Sande Shipyard and Seasight Solutions also look positive at the possibility of becoming a subcontractor for the construction of the Armed Forces’ new Arctic patrol ships and frigates as well as new Home Guard vessels when the requirements for these become known.