The Jury's Verdict
The winner of Ship of the Year by Skipsrevyen 2026 is Rem Pioneer.
The vessel is described as a next-generation Energy Subsea Construction Vessel (ESCV), designed to carry out demanding subsea installation work for both the renewable energy and oil and gas industries.
Rem Pioneer was contracted by REM Offshore in March 2024, following an extended period of development in close cooperation with naval architects and designers Skipsteknisk. The choice of shipyard was equally local, with Myklebust Verft selected to complete the vessel.
The hull was built at Song Cam Shipyard in Vietnam before being transported to Norway for outfitting and final completion.
Based on Skipsteknisk's ST-245 ESCV design, the 116.5-metre-long and 23-metre-wide vessel features a substantial 1,400 m² working deck and is equipped with a 250-tonne electrically powered offshore crane. The crane is capable of regenerating energy back into the vessel's battery system during operations.
The vessel can accommodate up to 120 crew members and project personnel, providing the capacity required for complex and labour-intensive subsea campaigns.
Rem Pioneer is a dual-fuel vessel capable of operating on methanol when required. With methanol tank capacity of 997 m³, the vessel has the potential for zero-emission operation when running on green methanol.
Even when operating on MGO, however, the combination of a highly efficient design and a large battery system is expected to halve CO₂ emissions compared with conventional vessels of a similar type. When connected to shore power, Rem Pioneer can also remain emission-free while in port.
The jury particularly commends REM Offshore for having the confidence to order such an advanced vessel without having a contract secured for it at the time of investment. The project also demonstrates the strength of the Norwegian maritime cluster. Some 47 per cent of the value creation remains in Møre og Romsdal, while 63 per cent remains in Norway.
As its name suggests, Rem Pioneer is a true pioneer in a market still characterised by a significant amount of ageing tonnage. Combining advanced technology, lower emissions and a strong focus on good working conditions, the vessel represents the kind of forward-looking investment that can help shape the next generation of the offshore fleet.
For these reasons, the jury considers Rem Pioneer a highly deserving winner of Ship of the Year by Skipsrevyen 2026.