Offshore Wind News

CSL-OWL Joint Venture Orders Two Rock Installation Vessels for Offshore Wind

CSL OWL Subsea Rock Installation, a newly formed partnership between the CSL Group and Offshore Wind Logistics (OWL), has ordered two newbuild subsea rock installation vessels tailored for the offshore wind sector.Each vessel will have a cargo capacity of 17,500 metric tonnes and will be equipped with dynamic positioning (DP2).They will be able to operate on marine gas oil (MGO) and/or methanol, providing a pathway to zero emission operations.Purpose-built for optimal flexibility…

New Alliance Targets CTV Deliveries for Japanese Offshore Market

Strategic Marine, Mirai Ships, and Ragnar Energy Solutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a framework for exclusive newbuild collaborations, aiming to deliver vessels tailored for Japanese offshore markets.The MoU sets out the terms for exclusive collaboration on the design and construction of Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs), a predominant asset utilized during the operational and maintenance phase of offshore wind farm operations, together with supporting…

AST Reygar Launches SOV Remote Monitoring System

AST Reygar has introduced its BareFLEET remote monitoring system, a solution designed to optimize Service Operation Vessels (SOV) performance in real-time, while providing long-term operational insights.BareFLEET delivers actionable insights across key areas, including fuel consumption, emissions, vessel motion, gangway operability, and navigation activity.The system was developed in response to challenges faced by SOV operators responding to unprecedented growth of offshore wind…

Global Offshore Wind Stumbles to the End of '24

Soaring costs, project delays and limited investment put targets out of reachAfter a year of canceled projects, broken turbines, and abandoned lease sales, the global offshore wind industry no longer has much chance to hit the lofty targets set by governments in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere ... with the exception of China.Reuters spoke to 12 offshore wind companies, industry researchers, trade associations, and government officials in six countries to come up with a global picture of the state of the industry and its outlook…

Workboat 2024: A Ton of Energy

There’s plenty to go around for everyone, no matter it comes from.I will admit that attending the 2024 Workboat Show in the Big Easy just ten days after settling into the MarineNews Editor’s chair (for this, the second time around) had my full attention. The event typically evokes the specter of drinking from the proverbial fire hose in routine times, but attending and digesting all it has to offer, right out of the gate, makes the task just little bit edgier. Ultimately, last week’s trade show exuded terrific energy, from exhibitors to attendees alike.

DNV, Seatrium Team Up for Innovation in Marine and Offshore

DNV has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Seatrium to cooperate on strategic activities and projects in the areas of engineering, technology and new product design, with key focus on floating offshore energy solutions.Under the MoU, DNV will provide Seatrium with expert advice on market and regulatory trends, emerging technologies, and best practices for environmental, safety and quality standards, in the maritime and offshore sectors.Both parties will work closely on optimizing existing processes and improving efficiencies across newbuilding…

Hybrid-Ready CTV for the Polish Offshore Wind Sector

Strategic Marine has delivered a a StratCat 27 Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV) to ORLEN to operate in Poland’s growing offshore wind sector.The vessel is designed specifically for offshore wind farm operations. It is scheduled to begin operations in the North Sea before transitioning to the Polish exclusive economic zone in the Baltic Sea.The StratCat 27 is equipped with advanced technologies to meet the demanding conditions of offshore wind farms. The vessel meets Tier III emission requirements and is hybrid-ready…

Norwind Offshore Takes Delivery of Vard-Built CSOV

Norwegian shipbuilder Vard has delivered a newbuild Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) to Norwind Offshore, which has been named Norwind Helm.The vessel naming ceremony was held in Ålesund on November 15, 2024, marking the fifth vessel delivery from Vard to Norwind Offshore, a company that offers specialized vessels designed for advanced maritime operations in the development and service of the offshore wind sector..The CSOVs designed and built for Norwind Offshore are tailor-made for world-wide services…

Cadeler’s WTIV Newbuild Arrives to Rotterdam Ahead of Maiden Job

Cadeler’s newbuild offshore wind installation vessel (WTIV) Wind Peak, designed to be able to transport and install up to seven complete 15 MW offshore wind turbine sets per load, has arrived to Rotterdam in the Netherlands, ahead of its first deployment.The P-class vessel arrived to Rotterdam after 73-day long journey from Cosco Shipyard in Qidong, China.The vessel has sailed more than 14,000 nautical miles with stops in Singapore, Cape Town, Las Palmas and now, Rotterdam.Wind…

GE Vernova Probe Finds Corners Were Cut

GE Vernova’s offshore wind turbine manufacturing plant has fired or suspended several workers in Quebec after a company investigation found they took shortcuts on quality control, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.GE Vernova launched the probe at the factory in Gaspe, Quebec, after one of the 107-meter-long turbine blades it made shattered at the Vineyard Wind project off the coast of Massachusetts in July. Shards of fiberglass littered the beaches and forced the project…

Seatrium Adds Heavy Lift Vessel to Project Schedule

Seatrium has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Japan-based Penta-Ocean Construction (POC) to carry out early engineering work for a 5,000t fully-revolving heavy lift vessel project for the Japan wind market.Subject to the final investment decision by POC, the full EPC contract award is expected in 1Q 2025.POC owns a range of self-propelling trailing suction hopper and cutter suction dredgers for marine construction works as well as two turbine installation vessels equipped with a 800t and a 1,600t lifting capacity crane respectively.

Seaway7 Secures Inter-Array Cabling Work for East Anglia TWO Offshore Wind Farm

Seaway7, part of the Subsea7 Group, has secured a ‘substantial’ contract from ScottishPower Renewables for the transport and installation of the inter-array cables of the East Anglia TWO offshore wind project.Seaway7’s scope of work for East Anglia TWO includes the engineering, supply and installation of the 64 inter-array cables.Execution of the scope will be led from Seaway7’s Aberdeen office in the UK, with offshore activities scheduled to commence in 2027.Although the exact value of the contract has not been specified…

OEG Renewables Orders Another CTV from Strategic Marine

Singapore-based shipbuilder Strategic Marine has secured an order for a next-generation crew transfer vessel (CTV) from OEG Renewables, part of the OEG Energy Group, destined to operate in Taiwan.The vessel, named Wey Feng, will be the fourth StratCat 27 that Strategic Marine is building for OEG Group.The Wey Feng is a BMT-designed, 27-meter aluminum catamaran powered by dual Caterpillar C32 1450 hp marine engines. Boasting a fuel capacity of 35,000 litres and seating for up to 24 technicians…

Mega Machines: It’s [Menck] Hammer Time

Driven by a “massive step change in offshore wind turbine technology” premised on growth of the per unit size and output, Menck – an Acteon brand – last month unveiled what it touts as a “game-changing” MHU 6000W Wind Hammer, the largest hammer in its repertoire and a continuing a legacy of innovation since 1868 from this north Germany industrial company.We recently visited with Fabian Hippe, Marine Foundations Sales Director, Acteon, for a discussion on the new pile driving unit and the markets it will serve.

Orsted CEO Addresses Swedish Concerns about Wind Farms in the Baltic Sea

Orsted's CEO said that there are solutions to Swedish defense concerns in the offshore wind industry. This was after Sweden refused applications for 13 offshore wind farms on Baltic Sea.Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson stated on Monday that the construction of wind farms along the Baltic Sea could pose a threat to national security, as it would make it more difficult to detect and intercept missiles.While Europe is turning to renewable energy sources to diversify its energy supply away from Russian oil…

Green Marine UK Scales Up Environmental Monitoring Services for Offshore Wind

Orkney-based marine services firm Green Marine UK has expanded its environmental monitoring offering for offshore wind to deliver ‘full-scope’ projects following a surge in contracts with Scotland's Marine Directorate.This follows 18-months of continuous work, largely involving the collection of PAM (Passive Acoustic Monitoring) devices. Operations have lasted up to 20-days retrieving circa 40 devices over distances approaching 250 nautical miles.PAM incorporates underwater microphones (hydrophones) to effectively monitor and record migratory fish, marine animals and the environment.

Cadeler Gets Turbine and Foundation Installation Job for UK Offshore Wind Farm

Danish firm Cadeler has signed firm contracts, valued up to $415 million, for the transport and installation of turbines and foundations for East Anglia TWO offshore wind farm, being developed by ScottishPower Renewables, part of Iberdrola Group.The contracts, valued between $390 million and $415 million, are for the transportation and installation of 64 turbines, each rated at 15 MW, along with their foundations.The offshore works are set to commence in 2027 and will see the use of one of Cadeler’s newbuild A-class vessels…

First Installation Campaign at Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Farm Wraps Up

Dominion Energy has installed 78 monopile and four offshore substation foundations for as part of the first offshore construction campaign for the 2.6 GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project.CVOW, the largest offshore wind project under construction in the United States, will consist of 176 turbines that will generate enough clean, renewable energy to power up to 660,000 homes and is expected to generate fuel savings of $3 billion for customers during the first 10 years of operation.With the completed first installation campaign…

Sea1 Offshore Orders Two Offshore Energy Support Vessels

Sea1 Offshore, formerly Siem Offshore, has entered into shipbuilding contracts with Cosco Shipping (Qidong) Offshore for two new offshore energy support vessels.Based on ST-245 design, the vessels will have capabilities to serve both oil and gas and renewable energy markets.The vessels will be equipped with some of the most fuel-efficient solutions in the market, according to Sea1 Offshore.Generators, battery packages and thruster configuration are fine-tuned and include the latest technology available.The vessels are methanol ready and the generators can run on 100% biofuel.

Patriot Offshore Awarded 10-year CTV Contract for Empire Wind

Patriot Offshore Maritime Services NY, a subsidiary of Lake Success, N.Y. based Liberty Green Logistics, announced it has been awarded a 10-year contract to provide crew transfer vessel (CTV) services for Empire Offshore Wind LLC.Patriot Offshore's new CTV will service Equinor’s New York offshore wind farm during the construction and O&M phases of the project. The Jones Act qualified CTV will be constructed in a U.S. shipyard and will commence operations in 2026.The 29.5-meter newbuild CTV will be Patriot Offshore's second…

CSOV Marks 1000th Vessel Design from Kongsberg Maritime

Kongsberg Maritime delivered its 1,000th ship design - the IWS Seawalker, a windfarm service operation vessel (CSOV) and one of six ‘Skywalker Class’ UT5519 DE for IWS Fleet.In a naming ceremony in the port of Hanstholm, Denmark, the IWS Seawalker, becomes the third Skywalker Class vessel to be delivered, and is due to be deployed in the North Sea in the coming weeks.The early 1970s, at the dawn of the offshore oil and gas industry, saw the very first vessels, designed specifically for the harsh operating conditions of the North Sea…

Floating Wind and the Taming of Subsea Spaghetti

Preparing for industrialization, the floating offshore wind industry is tackling its unique mooring and cabling challenges.The idea of keeping floating offshore wind platforms in place using dynamic positioning has been considered. The trouble is: it could take up to 80% of the electricity generated by the turbine to do it.So, as Maersk Supply Service said a few years back: In a field of 100 turbines with 4-5 mooring lines each, there is going to be a lot of subsea “spaghetti.” It’s not a problem unique to the industry…

DOF Group Completes Acquisition of Maersk Supply Service

Norwegian offshore supply vessel company DOF Group has concluded the acquisition of Denmark-based Maersk Supply Service, which will be renamed to DOF Denmark.The combined company is expected to become one of the leading offshore service provider with comprehensive scale and a wide range of services across all continents in the offshore energy industries.The deal will see DOF's fleet grow to 78 modern offshore/subsea vessels, including 65 owned, with the addition of Maersk Supply Service's 22 vessels…