Offshore wind turbines and battery-powered support vessels seem a perfect match, promising reduced fossil fuel use and a holistic solution for the wind power industry’s success. However, can batteries – whether in a hybrid diesel-electric set-up or installed as a standalone solution – provide enough power for an 80m+ service operation vessel (SOV) to compete […]
The UK offshore wind industry must exploit robotics and autonomous systems to the hilt if it is to thrive, according to a report issued by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult. Titled Robotic & Autonomous Systems For Operations and Maintenance In UK Offshore Wind, the report, produced in partnership with Innovate UK’s Workforce Foresighting Hub […]
Japan’s offshore wind farm sector is gaining momentum as part of the country’s push for carbon neutrality by 2050. The country aims to install 10GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030, and as much as 30-40GW by 2040, with a focus on both fixed-bottom and floating turbines – the latter technology being particularly important due […]
A UK consortium comprising Morek Engineering, Solis Marine Engineering, Tope Ocean, First Marine Solutions and Celtic Sea Power has devised a new class of floating wind installation vessel, primed for energy efficiency and sustainable operations. Having formally unveiled the concept at a Society of Maritime Industries event in London in May, the partners say they […]
Shipbuilder APCL Cammell Laird has been tasked with performing an in-depth analysis of the potential market for UK-built ships in the offshore wind sector, commissioned by the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, the National Shipbuilding Office and The Crown Estate. Lauren Hadnum, clean maritime manager at ORE Catapult, says: “We know that for the UK […]
The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, UK and the Japanese Floating Wind Technology Research Association (FLOWRA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work towards reducing risks and costs related to floating offshore wind. The MoU, signed in Tokyo on 7 March, follows nine months of collaboration between ORE Catapult and FLOWRA. The initiative […]
Ulstein Design & Solutions has been contracted to provide the design for a heavy-lift ship for Japanese contractor Penta-Ocean Construction (POC). The vessel will specialise in offshore wind foundation installation work within the country’s waters, and will comprise a customised version of Ulstein’s HX118 design, which features a length of 215m, a 56m beam and […]
A year on from the launch of its first 26m crew transfer vessel (CTV) concept, NAV Engineering & Technology has unveiled plans for a larger, 35m variant. But why go bigger on a proven design, and what’s in it for offshore operators? Formed last year as a subsidiary of Newport Shipping, NAV’s first offering was […]
UK boatbuilder Diverse Marine has announced that it will integrate Hefring Marine’s AI marine solutions into all its newbuilds “as standard”, following the signing of a strategic partnership between the two groups. Iceland-based Hefring Marine’s main product is IMAS, an AI-driven onboard system developed to capture vessel data for real-time decision support, which has found […]
It’s estimated the global offshore wind market could exceed US$100bn by the end of this decade, with a global capacity 330GW per annum. By common consent offshore renewables are an essential component in society’s transition towards sustainable energy. Although in its early years offshore wind depended heavily on vessels more typically deployed for oil and […]
In a significant move, North Star, the leading UK provider of offshore infrastructure support services, has secured a landmark contract with Germany’s energy utility giant EnBW. The agreement involves the delivery of a cutting-edge hybrid-electric Service Operations Vessel (SOV) for a decade-long minimum charter to support the He Dreiht wind farm off the coast of […]
Naval architect and designer BMT has shared its plans for a new hybrid diesel-electric, methanol-ready service operation vessel (SOV), developed to support offshore wind farm operations while minimising overall environmental impact. Measuring 48m in overall length x 22m in moulded breadth, and featuring a 5.5m draught, the proposed vessel looks set to plug the size […]