Demand for high-capability offshore support vessels for floating offshore wind is expected to strengthen in the late 2020s, with availability constraints emerging in some segments as early as 2029, according to a new report from ABS.
Produced by ABS in collaboration with Intelatus Global Partners, the report, entitled Floating Offshore Wind and the Vessels That Support It examines the role large anchor handling tug supply vessels (AHTSs) and multipurpose support vessels (MPSVs) are expected to play in project execution, as well as the implications for vessel suitability, upgrades and future fleet needs.
- Read the full report here.
“Floating offshore wind presents a distinct set of challenges, particularly around vessel capability, mooring systems and project execution,” said Rob Langford, ABS Vice President, Global Offshore Markets. “This report highlights where existing offshore experience can be applied, while also identifying the areas where planning, investment and technical readiness will be increasingly important as projects develop.”
The report indicates floating wind projects are expected to increase demand for vessels supporting towing, mooring installation, hook-up and cable operations. As projects advance in Europe and Asia-Pacific, the industry will need enough vessels capable of supporting those activities.
For vessel owners and operators, the report highlights the need to assess whether existing offshore vessels can be adapted for floating wind service or whether upgraded or purpose-built vessels may be needed for certain applications.
Floating wind projects require a broad mix of specialized vessels. Large AHTSs and MPSVs are expected to play central roles in towing floaters, pre-installing anchors and mooring systems, supporting hook-up and tensioning operations and executing subsea and maintenance campaigns. Wind turbine installation vessels, transport vessels, service operation vessels, cable-laying vessels and crew transfer vessels will also be important across fabrication, installation and operational phases.
As projects scale, the technical suitability of these vessels will become an increasingly important differentiator. For floating wind, the most critical vessel segments are likely to include large AHTS vessels with high bollard pull and large MPSVs with substantial crane capacity and offshore construction capability.
These vessels are particularly relevant for towing floaters, pre-installing anchors and mooring systems, supporting hook-up and tensioning operations and carrying out inspection, maintenance and repair campaigns. As turbine ratings, floater size and mooring loads increase, demand is expected to concentrate around the upper end of vessel capability, making high-specification AHTSs and MPSVs especially important to project execution.
ABS supports offshore renewables with classification, technical review and advisory services for offshore assets and operations.
Many of the vessel capabilities required for floating wind are derived from offshore oil and gas, subsea construction and floating production support, where ABS has extensive classification experience. That experience is directly applicable to the types of high-capability vessels expected to support floating wind, particularly where projects require high bollard pull, heavy lifting capability, offshore construction functionality, deck strength, winch capacity and complex marine operations.
Learn more about the role of ABS here.
