Maersk Supply Service is stepping up to address a critical challenge in the burgeoning offshore wind industry: a shortage of specialized vessels slowing down development. Their innovative solution centers around a dedicated Wind Installation Vessel (WIV) stationed directly at the wind farm site.
Unlike traditional methods where vessels move from site to site, the WIV remains in place, continuously working on installations. Meanwhile, a fleet of specially designed barges and tugboats act as a dedicated supply line, continuously delivering turbine components to the WIV.
This streamlined approach promises to significantly accelerate installation times and bring wind farms online much faster.
Targeting the US wind industry for the initial deployment, Maersk plans to utilize a system comprised of two tugs and two barges specifically designed to work seamlessly with the WIV. These feeder vessels will be constructed by Bollinger Shipyards, a Louisiana-based company with a strong reputation in shipbuilding.
ECO (Edison Chouest Offshore), another Louisiana firm with expertise in marine operations, will take ownership and responsibility for operating these feeder vessels. The entire system, expected to be operational by 2026, has the potential to revolutionize offshore wind farm construction in the US and beyond.
Using U.S.-built, -owned and -flagged tugs and barges to ferry turbine components, Maersk Supply Service’s innovative locking and stabilizing mechanism between the WIV and barge will render installations far less dependent on weather conditions, thereby reducing the number of operating days required to install a wind park.
By streamlining the installation process, Maersk Supply Service’s innovative method could significantly contribute to accelerating the clean energy transition and bringing us closer to a sustainable future.
Reference- Maersk Newsroom, Clean Technica, Interesting Engineering, Offshore Wind Biz