Offshore wind development in Dubai is driving shipyard expansion, with Drydocks World securing a contract for a new 2 GW offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea. The facility’s recent expansion will allow for handling multiple large-scale projects simultaneously, showcasing Dubai’s unexpected emergence as a hub for offshore wind industry growth.
The offshore wind industry is rapidly growing, with wind farms expanding further from shore. Service Operation Vessels (SOVs) are crucial for transporting technicians and equipment to turbines in challenging sea conditions. AST Reygar’s BareFLEET remote monitoring system optimizes SOV performance, providing insights on fuel consumption, emissions, and operational efficiency to meet industry demands.
Norway’s METCentre, a leading test center, has secured contracts with three companies to trial cutting-edge floating offshore wind technology, aiming to reduce costs and accelerate progress in renewable energy. METCentre plays a crucial role in the Utsira Nord development, positioning Norway as a frontrunner in floating offshore wind technology globally.
Strategic Marine and Centus Marine have introduced Malaysia’s first hybrid Fast Crew Boat, featuring advanced hybrid technology and gyro-stabilization for improved efficiency and sustainability in offshore operations. The hybrid propulsion system reduces fuel consumption and emissions, while the gyro-stabilization ensures safer operations in challenging environments. This collaboration highlights a commitment to greener practices in the maritime industry.
Britain’s offshore wind sector received a major funding boost in a recent renewable energy auction, with Orsted and Iberdrola winning key projects. The Labour government aims to decarbonize by 2030, requiring a significant increase in renewable energy. Despite a £1.5 billion budget, an extra £1 billion was needed. However, more capacity is needed to reach the 60 GW target by 2030.
The UK government has unveiled a record £1.5 billion budget for clean energy, primarily focusing on offshore wind. This 50% increase aims to enhance energy security, reduce electricity costs for families, and stimulate job creation. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband emphasized the commitment to green technology and transitioning away from fossil fuels.
The U.S. Coast Guard warns mariners of debris near Vineyard Wind offshore wind farm after a turbine blade broke off. Vineyard Wind, a partnership between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partner, is taking action to remove debris and address the situation. The project aims to power over 400,000 Massachusetts homes.
PSA Marine’s Ventus Marine secures a contract with Strategic Marine for four crew transfer vessels (CTVs) for offshore wind sectors in Europe and Asia. Designed by BMT, the 27m CTVs will be delivered by end of 2024. Two managed by Njord Offshore in Europe, two by Njord Marine in Taiwan, designed to withstand challenging conditions. Partnership aims to enhance crew transfer operations in offshore wind industry.
Norwegian shipowners Eidesvik Offshore and Agalas collaborate to build an innovative Construction Support Vessel (CSV) for subsea and offshore wind operations. The environmentally friendly ship will have methanol-powered engines and a battery hybrid system. With Eidesvik retaining a majority stake, the vessel is expected to be a game-changer in the maritime industry.
Orsted, the world’s largest offshore wind developer, has lowered its investment and capacity targets, suspended dividends, and plans to sell assets worth around 115 billion kroner by 2030. The company also announced job cuts and plans to withdraw from markets in Norway, Spain, and Portugal. Confidence in Orsted has taken a hit, but the company remains committed to its goal of being the global leader in offshore wind energy.
In a March 2023 blog, Bill Gates emphasized the transformative power of AI, predicting job losses across various industries. However, AI will enhance marine surveying by streamlining data acquisition and processing, meeting the growing demand for offshore wind energy. AI will act as a virtual co-pilot for marine surveyors, improving efficiency without replacing human skills.
Global Maritime is expanding into the Spanish offshore wind sector with the acquisition of Iberian Offshore. The Madrid-based engineering specialist focuses on fixed-bottom offshore wind industry, making it a strategic gateway for Global Maritime’s future expansion into the Mediterranean region. The move aligns with the anticipated growth in both fixed and floating offshore wind markets.
Equinor has agreed to a swap transaction with BP, resulting in a significant reshuffle of ownership of several offshore wind projects in New York State. The deal will see Equinor take full control of Empire Wind’s lease and projects, while BP will take full ownership of Beacon Wind’s lease and projects. This transaction involves Equinor acquiring 100% ownership of Empire Offshore Wind Holdings LLC and, under certain conditions, acquiring BP’s half interest in the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) lease. In the meantime, BP will acquire Beacon Wind Holdings LLC and the associated project company and thus become the operator of the Beacon Wind projects.
In a landmark agreement, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK-Line) partnered with Damen Services to introduce an advanced full mission bridge simulator tailored for offshore wind operations. The simulator, built in cooperation with VSTEP Simulation, achieved a critical milestone with the successful completion of Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) in October.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Avangrid, Inc. have successfully delivered the first power from the Vineyard Wind offshore wind project to the New England grid. The project, located off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, is expected to power over 400,000 homes and businesses in Massachusetts with 62 wind turbines.
