Maersk builds new for European entry

Maersk Supply Service has entered into an agreement with GustoMSC to design the next generation of offshore wind installation vessels to take a bite out of the growing European market. The vessel is unique in that it does not have to pick up the materials in the port itself.

The new design will build on the same patents and characteristics as the installation vessel that Maersk Supply Service already has under construction at the Sembcorp Marine yard in Singapore and will operate on the US East Coast.

The unique patented design allows the installation vessel to remain in the offshore wind farm, while tugs and barges take care of bringing the wind turbine towers, nacelles, and blades out to the installation site from the port.

According to Maersk Supply Service, the concept is expected to be more than 30 percent. more efficiently than conventional jack-up vessels, which have to collect the materials themselves.

“Europe is an attractive market for offshore wind, and we believe that our concept is also suitable for this region. As the installation vessel does not itself sail into ports, this can solve some of the bottleneck problems we currently see in Europe, where only a few ports are large enough to handle the growing offshore wind turbines,” says Maersk Supply Service CCO, Jonas Munch Agerskov.