Maersk Supply Service has announced a new collaboration with GustoMSC to create a next-generation Wind Installation Vessel that will cater to the expanding offshore wind market in Europe. The vessel will build on the same patent and characteristics of the feeder concept designed for the Jones Act offshore wind market in the United States.

The design will allow the jack-up Wind Installation Vessel to stay on location at the wind farm, while tugs and barges sail back and forth from port to collect the wind turbine tower, nacelle, and blades.

Maersk Supply Services says the concept is cost-competitive and expected to be more than 30% more efficient than conventional jack-up vessels. The concept will also be less weather-dependent and enable continuous installations year-round, which will improve operational efficiency and lower costs of offshore wind energy production.

“As the Wind Installation Vessel itself does not sail into ports, this can solve some of the bottlenecks we currently see in Europe, where only a few ports are large enough to handle the growing wind turbine sizes,” said the Chief Commercial Officer at Maersk Supply Service, Jonas Munch Agerskov. “We look forward to collaborating with GustoMSC on getting this new basic design ready.”

GustoMSC, a subsidiary of NOV, brings decades of offshore experience and design know-how to this partnership. “We jointly aim to further improve installation efficiencies and development economics in the bottom-fixed offshore wind market,” says Managing Director GustoMSC, Nils van Nood.

Maersk Supply Service and GustoMSC will soon  begin the basic design process, with the expectation to conclude it later this year.

(Photo from Maersk Supply Service)