Offshore Industry issue 2 2023

Coexistence is essential OFFSHORE CONSTRUCTION ACTION FOR TRANSITION

A steady development

Modular spreader beams up to 3,000t – Shackles up to 2,000t Grommets & roundslings – ROV hooks & shackles

Cherry pickers – Telehandlers – Waterpumps – Generators

Waterbags – Testweights – Pontoons – Fenders – Gangways

Snatchblocks – Lifting frames – Multi lugs – Hoists – Swivels

Masterlinks – Hydraulics – Container spreaders – Light towers

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EDITOR’S NOTE

So much is going on!

When putting together this magazine, I am always surprised by the fact that there is never a problem in finding interesting topics to write about and this issue is no exception. Whether it is about the ‘old’ oil & gas, the ‘mature’ o shore wind, or about the ‘new’ o shore floating solar, so much is going on!

For this issue, I have again talked with many interesting people who explained to me their vision and point of viewabout our industry. Special attention is given to Britta Scha meister in our O shore Industry Insights column. Inher opinion, more e orts should be made in trying to generate renewable energy as near as possible to its users, and she thinks that marine energy can play an important role in this.

A few years ago, energy islands seemed like something existing only in science fiction books. Today, however, thissupposed fiction appears to become reality with two projects that are set to be constructed soon. With these energy islands we will be able to connect the renewable power supply from various o shore sources of various countries in a more e cient way.

The second quarter of this year is well underway, meaning that a period of exhibitions slowly approaches. In this issue, the spotlights are aimed at OTC Houston and OMCRavenna. Two events that will show the opportunities of the energy transition for the industry, and that will o er ample occasions to meet and network. Perhaps we will be able to meet in Ravenna, or at one of the many other events taking place soon.

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy reading this magazine. And whenever you have any interesting novelties about your company, do not hesitate to contact us, we will be pleased to write about it!

Kind regards,

Arno Dirkzwager ARNO@YNFPUBLISHERS.COM

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According to DNV’s Spatial Competition Forecast, the amount of ocean space occupied by installations will grow fivefold by 2050. This will be driven by o shore wind, which will account for 80% of stationary infrastructure at sea by mid-century, followed by aquaculture (13%), and oil & gas (5%). Read more on page

A 500MW o shore green hydrogen facility

The Dutch government aims to build a large production facility to convert wind power into hydrogen in the North Sea. The facility will have the capacity to produce 500MW of green hydrogen per year and is expected to become operational in 2031. The project marks the first time the Netherlands will produce hydrogen at sea on a large scale. The Dutch government aims to have the capacity to produce 4GW of hydrogen from renewable energy sources at onshore facilities by 2030. The new hydrogen plant will be realised in the planned o shore wind farm area ‘Ten noorden van de Waddeneilanden’, 56km o the coast of the northern province of Groningen, where the hydrogen could be transported to land by using an existing natural gas pipeline.

i. government.nl

Damen Triton IoT platform receives type approval

Damen Shipyards Group has announced receipt of a Bureau Veritas (BV) Type Approval Certification for Cyber Resilience of its Triton IoT platform. The solution enables the gathering of all available operational asset data from a vessel and its engines, pumps, hydraulics, alarms, and other equipment, amounting to over 10,000 signals for a single vessel. This is then communicated to crew on board and fleet managers on shore. With this data, which is presented on various on board and remote dashboards, crew can track asset health, maintenance scheduling and more. Triton’s receipt of type approval, a significant milestone for the platform, is the result of a close collaboration between Damen Digital Solutions, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Bureau Veritas.

To achieve this approval, Triton met the cyber security requirements described in BV Rule Note NR 659 R02. This also makes it compliant with the requirement of IACS UR E27 that will enter into force for all contracts signed after 1 January 2024. All of Damen’s newbuilds, some 150+ vessels per year, are delivered with the Triton IoT platform. Triton can also be retrofitted to existing vessels and can co-exist with legacy systems, providing even more opportunities for operators to benefit from its capabilities.

i. damen.com

Willem van Leeuwen, Product Owner IoT at Damen Digital Solutions[left] and Marouane Dani, IoT Solutions Architect at Damen Shipyards Group [right] showing the Bureau Veritas Type Approval for Cyber Resilience.

Jan De Nul kicks o Gode Wind 3 and Borkum Ri grund 3

Jan De Nul Group has o cially started the T&I contract for the construction of Ørsted’s 242MW Gode Wind 3, and 900MW Borkum Ri grund 3 o shore wind farms in Germany. A first batch of three monopile foundations has left Steelwind’s yard in Nordenham (Germany) to Eemshaven (the Netherlands), which is part of Groningen Seaports. Jan De Nul’s scope includes the transport and installation of 106 wind turbine monopile foundations and one o shore substation foundation, including associated topside. Subcontractor Wagenborg has deployed its Wagenborg Barge 8 for the transport of the monopiles foundations.

In summer, Jan De Nul’s brand-new heavy lift vessel Les Alizés will arrive on site and install the first monopile foundation o shore, simultaneously the baptism of fire for this brand-new vessel. Delivery is foreseen to be completed in 2024.

i. jandenul.com

Aker BP moving ahead with nine of ten PDO projects

Aker BP has notified the Norwegian Ministry of Petroleum and Energy that the company has acceded to all the Plans for Development and Operation submitted in December 2022, except for one. The Troldhaugen project in the Edvard Grieg area, which represents around 4% of the net estimated resources in these projects, has been discontinued. When an o shore field development decision is made in Norway, the licensees are required to submit a Plan for Development and Operation (PDO) to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MPE) for approval. After this, each licensee must notify the MPE within three months whether they accede to the field development plan or not. On 16 December 2022, Aker BP and its partners submitted PDOs to the MPE for the following field development projects: Yggdrasil (Hugin, Munin and Fulla), Valhall PWP-Fenris Skarv Satellites (Alve Nord, Idun Nord and Ørn), and Utsira High (Symra and Troldhaugen – in addition to a Development Report for Solveig Phase 2). Aker BP has notified the MPE that it accedes to all but one of these PDOs, and the development projects are progressing according to plan.

i. akerbp.com

Liftal Vlissingen

Groenlandweg 4

Havennummer 4056 4455 SN Nieuwdorp (Vlissingen-Oost)

Tel: +31 (0) 118 - 488 450

Email: vlissingen@liftal.com

Liftal Rilland De Poort 15 4411 PB Rilland

Tel: +31 (0) 113 - 571 523

Email: rilland@liftal.com

Liftal Rotterdam

p/a Admiraal de Ruyterstraat 24 3115 HB Schiedam

Tel: +31 (0)10 - 60 036 60

Email: rotterdam@liftal.com

Liftal Belgium

Duitslandstraat 4 9140 Temse

Tel: +32 (0)3 710 11 82

Email: temse@liftal.com

MARITIEM BOUW

OFFSHORE

ENERGIE

INDUSTRIE

Sustainable retrofit completed

Green Yard Kleven has completed and delivered two retrofit projects for Brazilian shipowner Oceanica. Oceanicasub Vlll and Oceanicasub lX have been rebuilt from o shore supply vessels to advanced o shore vessels for ROV- and crane operations. Both rebuilding projects were largely based on reused equipment and focused on sustainability at the request of the shipowner.

Important elements for achieving a high degree of sustainability are lifetime extension for the ship, overhaul, and repair of existing equipment, installation of used equipment, and reuse of interiors and furniture from recycled ships. The ship was connected to shore power from renewable sources at the quay. Green Yard Kleven has also assisted with the reactivation and classification of the ships, both of which were taken out of layup and sold by two di erent ship owners in connection with the project. Green Yard Kleven also currently has a third project in work for Oceanica, Oceanicasub XL. i. greenyard.no

Kenc supports GustoMSC on Wind Orca crane upgrade

In May 2022, KENC Engineering was awarded an engineering job by GustoMSC. KENC has now successfully completed the assignment which entailed detailed engineering support for the new heavy lift crane of Cadeler’s jack-up vessel Wind Orca. KENC supported GustoMSC with design and engineering work for the secondary steel (stairs, platforms, access to maintenance locations) of the boom and A-frame of the crane. With this strategic upgrade, Cadeler strengthens its position in the growing o shore wind market. The Wind Orca has now a total lifting capacity of 1,600t, compared with a previous capacity of 1,200t.

i. kenc.nl

Ace Aquatec and Ocean Health partner to develop FaunaGuard

Ace Aquatec has partnered with Ocean Health to further develop FaunaGuard, which uses academically validated sound patterns with award-winning transducer technology to create temporary exclusion zones around project sites. This ethical acoustic system is an important tool for safeguarding oceanic wildlife from the risks associated with o shore construction works. The two organisations now join e orts to make FaunaGuard globally available as the go-to mitigation solution for the o shore renewables sector. FaunaGuard has been developed over a decade and has been deployed in many pioneering o shore construction campaigns, in order to protect marine life from serious physiological harm.

The Ace Aquatec and Ocean Health partnership will continuously seek opportunities for further development of the technology and plans include adding new species-specific sounds. FaunaGuard devices are due to be installed for Ocean Health next in the Baltic Sea from March 2023 onwards, with ongoing support from Ace Aquatec on monitoring marine life, having been recently deployed on CrossWind’s Hollandse Kust Noord project in the North Sea.

i. acquatec.com

i. oceanhealth.com

The Wind Osprey, sister vessel of the Wind Orca.

Photo courtesy of Cadeler.

The latest O shore Passenger Transfer System

Palfinger Marine is currently updating their state-of-the-art transportation system for the maritime and o shore industry –the O shore Passenger Transfer System (OPTS).

At Nor-Shipping 2023, Palfinger Marine will showcase a model of this technology for the first time. The OPTS is a 3D-compensated passenger and cargo transfer system. Designed specifically for marine applications in all kinds of environmental conditions, it compensates on all axes to absorb waves and other motions. It thereby facilitates the safe and e cient transfer of people and cargo between a moving vessel and a static o shore structure such as a wind turbine or drilling platform.

The state-of-the-art system is an excellent tool to service fixed or semifloating o shore installations or perform de-commissioning work o shore. When mounted on small, cost-e cient vessels, the OPTS makes it possible to carry out operations at reduced expense. It can also be installed on service operation vessels (SOV), since the OPTS is equipped with a winch that allows the system to be used as a 3D compensated crane.

“With the OPTS, Palfinger demonstrates its innovational strength and position as a provider of complete solutions. The system sets a milestone in the energy transition as it supports, for instance, infrastructure developments in the o shore wind industry or decommissioning activities in the oil & gas sector”, says Gunther Fleck, VicePresident Sales & Service Region Marine at Palfinger.

Fixed or flexible equipment

The OPTS comes in two variations –either as a fixed or mobile unit. The mobile version is the same size as a 67.3m3 container, which makes it easy to transport. It can be mobilised and mounted on di erent vessels. The mobile OPTS is integrated and mounted on the base frame, so it only needs to be secured on deck. The fixed OPTS is designed for permanent installation on a vessel, meaning the base frame is not required and the hydraulic power unit (HPU) can be placed below deck. Sverre Mowinckel-Nilsen, Head of Global Marine Sales Solution Management at Palfinger sums it up, “With the updated solution, Palfinger responds to the latest requirements of the o shore industry. The technology constitutes a new standard in terms of accuracy, multifunctionality, and – most importantly – safety for the operators.”

Palfinger at Nor-Shipping

With its innovative OPTS, Palfinger Marine introduces a new approach to transport both personnel and cargo of up to 1,000kg in a very cost-e ective manner. To take on the booming market of o shore transfer systems, the company acquired the system in 2021 and is now intensively working on an updated version with an improved design and enhanced functions. At Nor-Shipping 2023, which will take place in Oslo, Norway, from 6 to 9 June, visitors will get an exclusive first glimpse

of the new OPTS. The prototype is scheduled to be finished within the first quarter of 2024.

With around 1,000 leading companies of the maritime industry readying to showcase their latest innovations, Nor-Shipping is one of the most important trade fairs for the European shipping market. “We can imagine no better place to present our latest innovation, the OPTS, than

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF PALFINGER.

Nor-Shipping2023 – the hotspot for global key decision makers in the maritime field. Above all, the trade show is the best place to exchange ideas with our customers and partners. This way, we can provide future-focused concepts and shape the future of the industry together”, adds Mr Mowinckel-Nilsen.

i. palfingermarine.com

OPTS on an SOV.

OPTS on a CTV.

A builder, rather thanamaintainer

Britta Scha meister, CEO of Dutch Marine Energy Centre

In the o shore industry, a lot of attention is paid to technical innovations and production improvements. However, the human factor cannot be overlooked as o shore projects highly depend on people’s hands, skills, and knowledge, too. In O shore Industry Insights, we introduce individuals that made their bones in this market.

DMEC acts as an accelerator for marine energy solutions. By advancing innovation, mobilising capital and shaping policies, the organisation creates multipurpose energy solutions for a wide variety of markets. Britta Scha meister has been CEO of DMEC since its establishment in 2017.

Ms Scha meister, you joined DMEC in 2017. An organisation that is aiming at innovation in marine energy. It looks like innovation has been a key word in your career so far?

Ms Scha meister: “Yes. I have always been passionate about innovation. And water, more specific, seas and oceans, have always caught my attention too, which is why I graduated at the Groningen University with a master in marine biology. After graduating I started to work for an SMEs size commercial organisation. My idea was to work there for a few years and then to get back to university for my PhD. However, this never occurred, because I decided to travel for a few years instead. In my first profession I learned a lot about what the private sector can mean for science. This created my a ection for public private partnerships, especially with respect to innovation. After I returned from travelling this influenced the steps I made. In 2010 I joined PWC. As Senior Manager Innovation and Development I joined the innovation department focussing on the initiation and implementation of innovation driven public private partnerships. One of the things we did was to assist in strategic development, project initiation, and proposal writing for European grant programs such as Horizon 2020, ERDF and Interreg.”

Photo courtsey of Gina Tamer Saad.

How, from assisting with granting procedures at PWC, did you end up in marine energy?

Ms Scha meister: “In 2016, together with four partners I founded nextco, a cooperative of consultants with the ambition to increase the impact of innovation in shaping our future. I stayed for about five years. Meanwhile, I was asked to become Director of the Tidal Testing Center. In 2017 I accepted this role. One of my first actions was to implement a new business model and change the name to Dutch Marine Energy Centre (DMEC) showing that the organisation was much more than just a testing centre focusing on tidal energy.”

Can you tell us something about DMEC?

Ms Scha meister: “DMEC promotes marine energy in all its forms. Using our international network, we assist marine energy projects in for example, financing, improving technology, and setting up a solid business case. We act as mouthpiece for the marine energy industry towards the Dutch government, the European Commission, and to international energy organisations such as Ocean Energy Systems (OES) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).”

Do you think that marine energy will develop in the same way as o shore wind?

Ms Scha meister: “No, I don’t think so. Instead of generating large amounts of electricity o shore, kilometres away from the end users, marine energy

production will take place as close as possible to the user and only on a scale that will meet the user’s demand. As smart o -grid solutions marine energy power plants can be deployed to decarbonise o shore infrastructures, such as aqua culture farms, and oil & gas assets. Also, it can enable islands and remote areas to become independent of fossil fuels. Within our Corporate Partnership Program, we enable companies to integrate marine energy in their business strategy, ranging from decarbonising their operations to implementing multi-source o shore renewable energy hubs and partnering in the development of promising innovations.”

How do you look at the current energy transition and the decisions made for this?

Ms Scha meister: “What we see today, is that the energy transition is forced to go faster and faster. The government tends to neglect that this requires a large amount of space, people, and material, which are all scarce. It is important to include a wide variety of solutions and not, for example, only aim for o shore wind. In the energy transition we should look for the best, most e cient, and safe combination of energy sources that is also good for the near environment. One of the advantages of marine energy is that there are multiple applications that can be combined with other renewables to optimise energy production while making e cient use of the available space and resources. When

As smart off-grid solutions, marine energy power generators can be deployed to decarbonise offshore infrastructures such as aqua culture farms and oil & gas assets and enable islands and remote areas to become independent of fossil fuels.

Photo courtesy of SeaCurrent.

looking at the energy transition, we should also not only look at the power supply. Balancing supply and demand in the right way is one of the biggest challenges. In my opinion, apart from saving on energy, locally generated power in which supply and demand are directly connected, is a good solution to ensure energy security in a sustainable way. The local environmental conditions and the end-user demand should always be the starting point for choosing the best combination of renewable energy sources to exploit.”

In the past few years a lot has changed in the o shore industry. What in your opinion has been most remarkable?

Ms Scha meister: “It is good to notice that government and companies are starting to work more closely together. Also, the energy and o shore industry are moving from a conservative to an innovative sector. When looking at the role of DMEC, we have changed from an organisation working mainly for start-up SMEs to one that collaborates with a wide variety of large enterprises and governmental organisations. Marine energy is really something that fits the Netherlands, and many organisations embrace this development. More and more corporates and investors are looking for new markets to invest in, and they are actively engaging with marine energy projects and initiatives.”

When looking back at the past six years, what makes you proud?

Ms Scha meister: “I am proud of our team that consists of very passionate and skilled people with various capabilities and backgrounds. I am also proud of the contribution we made to the acceptance and further development of marine energy over the past six years, not only in the Netherlands, but also on an international level by extensive collaboration with research institutes, companies, and governments across the globe. Our aim was to help marine energy developers. We managed to support them not only with our expertise and network, but also practically by mobilising public and private funds resulting in the implementation of a broad range of marine energy demonstrators.”

There are various types of marine energy. Which one will win in the end?

Ms Scha meister: “Currently, there are already some tidal energy projects in their pre-commercial phase, so it can be expected that this type of marine energy will take the lead. However, each type of marine energy production has its own benefits, specific applications and end-users that will be able to accelerate the development. So, in the end I think that there will be various kinds of marine energy power types going into production in the next years. Main requirement is that we realise multiple large-scale projects on an international level to show the opportunities of marine energy in real circumstances.”

i. dutchmarineenergy.com

Time for new initiatives

A few weeks after this interview Britta Scha meister tells the editor that she will be leaving DMEC per 1 April, so before publication of the article. “In the past six years”, she says, “I have built and shaped DMEC with great pleasure. DMEC is now an internationally respected accelerator for marine energy with an excellent team to further consolidate and expand its position. Being a builder rather than a maintainer, it is time for me to aim for initiating and realising new initiatives that will contribute to a sustainable and greener future.”

“In the energy transition we should look for the best, most e cient and safe combination of energy sources that is also good for the near environment.”

Britta Schaffmeister

Photo courtesy of DMEC.

Europort has two official publications that will be released during this year’s show; the EXHIBITION GUIDE and

Now is

The EXHIBITION GUIDE is a compact, pocket-sized booklet with clear and brief directions to easily find every exhibitor.

• 20,000 distributed copies

• Alphabetical list of exhibitors per hall with respective booth number

• Programme schedule

• General floor-plan and detailed floor-plan of each individual hall

• Ads starting at € 600,-

• 6,000 copies distributed per day

• Distribution at the entrances and at every booth every morning

•

content opportunities

Action for transition

Over the course of its 30-year history, OMC Med Energy Conference & Exhibition (OMC) has always adapted to the changing international scenarios and today, OMC Med Energy is the premier event in the Mediterranean area for all professionals and associations of the energy sector.

Clean, reliable, and economically accessible are the key words of today’s energy industry; showing the international energy industry your highest levels of e ciency while strengthening your market positioning. For this purpose, OMC, which takes place from 23 to 25 May, o ers the opportunity to meet investors and new partners, to build network and get new contacts, to get access to decision makers and specialists, to lay the base for future agreements and contracts, to

recruit new talents, and to arrange B2B meetings. OMC has grown to become the premier industry gathering in the region and has helped hundreds of companies achieved both growth and success through top level networking, matchmaking and the assessment of the latest drivers impacting the sector.

Together in one place

After rethinking energy leveraging alliances as major driver to achieve a sustainable energy future, it is now time

to translate ideas into practical and viable solutions. Sustainable and equitable economic growth for the energy transition calls for new business models to be adopted by the industry globally taking advantage of cross-sector partnerships. OMC is the place to be for energy authorities, industry CEOs, contractors, institutions, and consumers to find out how the Mediterranean Energy Scenario is evolving and to discuss about the best strategies, policies and finance to accomplish the energy

COURTESY OF OMC RAVENNA.

The exhibition will be a showcase for technology and innovation within the entire offshore industry.

transition agenda. From operators and suppliers, policy makers and international companies as well as new start-ups, OMC brings the industry together in one place to meet and do business.

Insights and knowledge transfer

The Mediterranean Energy Scenario and transition prospects after Cop 26 and Cop 27, sector coupling as an example of real alliance amongst industry sectors to accelerate energy transition, the energy vectors of the future, partnerships between producers, and the hard to abate manufacturing industry are just some of the issues OMC will tackle in this year’s extensive conference programme. Over 200 technical and poster presentations will o er insights and knowledge transfer in each technical stream: Operational Excellence, Carbon neutrality, Circular economy, and Technology, providing attendees a platform to share learn experience and know-how.

28,000m2

OMC has helped the oil & gas industry grow and now it provides a hybrid platform where the traditional oil & gas and the sustainable energy sectors meet to set the driving routes and to face the growing global energy demand and sustainability needs. Therefore, the exhibition which will run parallel with the conference programme, will be a showcase for technology and innovation

within the entire o shore industry. On the 28,0000m2 of the Palazzo Mauro De André, the 350international exhibitors can not only showcase their innovations at their booth, but OMC also o ers additional opportunities, for example to hold a presentation or give a workshop in the OMC Commercial Presentation Theatre or the OMC Process Equipment Zone.

Innovation Room

The call of Cop27 aims at transforming innovation into applied solutions for the global energy landscape and the new needs emerging around the world. To do

so, OMC works closely with solvers, startups, and SMEs on challenges that span across the energy industry and business through the Innovation Room. This is a dedicated arena within the OMC venue where high school students, universities, research centres, start-ups, and experts have the chance to present and compare their perspectives, develop ideas and turn them into projects, devise solutions for the real-world energy challenges. In the Innovation Room several events will be organised such as the Start Up Challenge, the Energy Hackathon, and Call4Ideas Mediterranean Region.

OMC Ravenna at a glance

Venue: Palazzo Mauro De André, Viale Europa, 1, 48122 Ravenna RA, Italy. Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 09.00-18.00 (on Thursday the exhibition ends at 15.00).

12,000 attendees

8,000 visitors

890 delegates

350 exhibiting companies

5 exhibition pavilions

25 nations

+200 papers and presentations

On the 28,0000m2 of the Palazzo Mauro De André, the 350 international exhibitors can not only showcase their innovations at their booth, but OMC also offers additional opportunities.

Over 200 technical and poster presentations will offer insights and knowledge transfer in each technical stream.

A steady development

Marine energy, whether it’s about wave, current, or tidal energy is still in its infancy. Today, there are many projects going on to demonstrate the various advantages of this type of renewable energy production.

Recently, an ambitious collaborative project to power subsea equipment with wave power and subsea energy storage has taken to the seas in the north of Scotland.

A USD 2.4million demonstrator project, called Renewables for Subsea Power (RSP), has connected the Blue X wave energy converter, built by Edinburgh

company Mocean Energy, with a Halo underwater battery developed by Aberdeen intelligent energy management specialists Verlume.

Test programme

The two technologies have been deployed in the seas o Orkney and have now begun a minimum four-

month test programme where they will provide low carbon power and communication to infrastructure including Baker Hughes’ subsea controls equipment and a resident underwater autonomous vehicle provided by Transmark Subsea. The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) has supplied instrumentation to measure the speed

ALL IMAGES COURTESY OF MOCEAN ENERGY/VERLUME, UNLESS STATED OTHERWISE.

Renewables for Subsea Power (RSP) is an ambitious collaborative project to power subsea equipment with wave power and subsea energy storage.

and direction of currents during the deployment, whilst Wave Energy Scotland has provided USD 193,000 to support the integration of the umbilical into the wave energy converter. The project aims to show how green technologies can be combined to provide reliable low carbon power and communications to subsea equipment, o ering a cost-e ective alternative to umbilical cables, which are carbon intensive with long lead times to procure and install.

Phases

The Orkney deployment is the third phase of the Renewables for Subsea Power project which is being supported by consortium partners which include

UK-based energy companies Harbour Energy and Serica Energy. Each phase of the programme has also been supported by grant funding from the Net Zero Technology Centre (NZTC). In 2021, the consortium invested USD 1.9 million into phase two of the programme which saw the successful integration of the core technologies in an onshore commissioning test environment at Verlume’s operations facility in Aberdeen. Now, they are testing the entire system at sea at a site 5km east of the Orkney Mainland, raising the

system’s technology readiness level (TRL) to 6-7 (actual system completed and qualified via test and demonstration).

In 2021, Mocean Energy’s Blue X prototype underwent a programme of rigorous at-sea testing at the European Marine Energy Centre’s Scapa Flow test site in Orkney where they generated first power and gathered significant data on machine performance and operation. The Blue X programme was made possible through USD 3.8 million from Wave Energy Scotland which supported

The Blue X wave energy converter is built by Edinburgh company Mocean Energy.

Cameron McNatt, Managing Director of Mocean Energy.

the development, construction and testing of the Blue X prototype at sea.

The pinnacle

“This is a natural next step for our technology”, says Mocean Energy’s Managing Director, Cameron McNatt. “The new test site east o Deerness o ers a much more vigorous wave climate and the opportunity to demonstrate the integration of a number of technologies in real sea conditions.” Verlume’s seabed battery energy storage system, Halo, has been specifically designed for the harsh underwater environment, reducing operational emissions and facilitating the use of renewable energy by providing a reliable, uninterrupted power supply. Halo’s fundamental basis is its intelligent energy management system, Axonn, a fully integrated system which autonomously maximises available battery capacity in real time. The RSP

Halo system is the second variant that has been built for commercial wave power integration and the first to be built at Verlume’s 1,900m2 facility in Dyce, Aberdeen. Andy Martin, Chief Commercial O cer of Verlume, explains, “This o shore test programme is the pinnacle of the success to date in this project, we are very much looking forward to the Halo being deployed. The testing will provide a great opportunity to gather high quality performance and operational data which will support the further electrification of the subsea sector.”

ENI’s ISWEC

At the Mediterranean Sea, Eni completed the installation of the world’s first ISWEC (Inertial Sea Wave Energy Converter) device connected to the electricity grid of an island.

The ISWEC device is located about 800m o the coast of the island of

Andy Martin, Chief Commercial Officer of Verlume.

Verlume’s seabed battery energy storage system, Halo, has been specifically designed for the harsh underwater environment, reducing operational emissions and facilitating the use of renewable energy by providing a reliable, uninterrupted power supply.

Pantelleria and can reach 260KW of peak power generation converted from wave energy. This experimental campaign, conducted under real operating conditions, will lead to useful results for developing the second-generation device currently under study.

ISWEC was developed by Eni in collaboration with the Politecnico di Torino, and Wave for Energy (a spino of the university). It is an innovative technology in the field of o shore renewable energy solutions, converting wave motion into electricity which then supplies energy to o shore infrastructure, small o -grid islands and coastal communities. The ISWEC design can be optimised with reference to the metocean conditions of the site where it is installed by means of a genetic algorithm that leverages on the significant computing power of Eni’s Green Data Centre (GDC) based in Ferrera Erbognone. The machine consists of a steel hull measuring 8 x 15m which houses the energy conversion system, consisting of two gyroscopic units, each more than 2m in diameter. The device is held in place in a 35m deep seabed by a special mooring system that responds to weather and sea conditions, consisting of three mooring lines and a swivel (a rotating joint). The electricity produced is transmitted ashore via an underwater electric cable.

A key example

Wave power is one of the main types of marine energy and is currently untapped. Su ce it to consider that 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water (97% of which is made up of seas and oceans). The power that could be generated from sea waves is estimated at around 2TW globally, for a total of 18,000TWh a year, almost the same as the entire planet’s demand for electricity. Energy from sea waves is also more predictable, constant and of higher energy density than that of the sun and wind, as it is available both during the day and at night. A further advantage of this technology is the considerable reduction of its impact on the landscape. The ISWEC device stands only 1m above sea water. Moreover, ISWEC can be integrated perfectly with other o shore renewable energy production systems, such as wind power generators, both

because it enhances the value of connection systems and because it can be integrated with other facilities in the same sea area, thereby maximising the conversion of available energy. The ISWEC technology is part of Eni’s decarbonisation plan and was mentioned by the EU Commission in its strategy on o shore renewable energy as a key example of sea wave energy conversion. The installation of the ISWEC in Pantelleria is the first step towards the decarbonisation of the island, in line with the energy transition agenda.

First electricity

Apart from the abovementioned examples more updates have been given on various marine energy projects recently, indicating that this type of renewable energy is steadily developing. In March, Spanish company Rotary Wave installed a wave power device in the

port of Valencia where it will provide electricity for public lighting, and Minesto has installed the tidal power plant Dragon 4 which generated first electricity at the newly added second foundation in Vestmannasund (Faroer Islands). The upgraded tether solution indicates further increase in production yield based on lower friction in the water. The upgraded design is developed in a targeted R&D project that aims to further improve the production performance by reducing resistance in the water. The project is executed in collaboration with the Swedish Energy Agency.

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At the Mediterranean Sea, Eni completed the installation of the world’s first ISWEC (Inertial Sea Wave Energy Converter) device connected to the electricity grid of an island.

Minesto’s tidal power plant Dragon 4 generated first electricity at the newly added second foundation in Vestmannasund (Faroer Islands).

Photo courtesy of Minesto.

Energy islands: Europe’s future energy system

Princess Elisabeth Energy Island fully operational in 2023

With the number of o shore wind farms growing, the traditional way of connecting them to onshore grid will result in an overload of export cables and onshore grid connections. The use of energy islands will solve this issue.

Using energy islands, the wind turbines can be placed further away from the coast and they distribute the generated power between several countries more e ciently. The islands serve as hubs – or green power plants – that gather electricity from the surrounding o shore wind farms and distribute it directly or indirectly through other hubs to the grid of one or more countries. This allows electricity from an area with vast wind resources to be more easily routed to areas that need it the most, while also ensuring that the energy generated from the turbines is

utilised as e ciently as possible in terms of demand for electricity.

North Sea Wind Power Hub

In 2016, Dutch/German transmission system operator (TSO) TenneT presented its vision for the North Sea Wind Power Hub and took the initiative to set up a consortium. The consortium wants to facilitate the large-scale roll-out and integration of wind energy in the North Sea, far away from the coast, by jointly investigating the possibilities for the realisation of power hubs. The vision of the North Sea Wind Power Hub

consortium is based on an internationally coordinated roll-out of so-called ‘Hub-and-Spoke’ projects, where wind farms are connected to centrally located o shore hubs. The hubs are connected to the North Sea countries via cables or pipelines.

System integration

Feasibility studies have shown that the hub-and-spoke concept proposed by the consortium is feasible both technically and economically. The centre of the hubs is formed by energy islands, and this way they will play an

Announcement on 28 February, when it was announced that the Belgian consortium TM EDISON (Jan De Nul and DEME) will construct the Princess Elisabeth Island. On the photo from left to right: Tinne Van der Straeten (Federal Minister of Energy), Luc Vandenbulcke (CEO of DEME Group), Thomas Dermine (Secretary of State for Recovery), Julie De Nul (Director of Jan De Nul Group), Chris Peeters (CEO of Elia Group), and Catherine Vandenborre (CFO of Elia Group).

Photo courtesy of Elia Group.

important role in Europe’s future energy system. They will host other equipment that will enable the system integration of o shore generation and storage into the high voltage grid. The possible application of power-to-x, meaning the conversion of electricity to another energy carrier, such as hydrogen, will also be considered. They could host electrolysers to convert wind power to renewable hydrogen, and energy storage facilities. This will further help align o shore wind with onshore energy demand and islands will also help the physical integration of o shore wind into the energy system by minimising the number of onshore landing points for the energy produced at sea.

Energinet

Today, the consortium consists of Dutch/German electricity TSO TenneT, Danish TSO Energinet, and Dutch energy infrastructure company Gasunie. Energinet is responsible for the

The consortium wants to facilitate the large-scale roll-out and integration of wind energy in the North Sea, far away from the coast, by jointly investigating the possibilities for the realisation of power hubs.

realisation of the two Danish energy islands that were announced last year. They will be able to supply 6GW of power. Denmark will run an auction in 2023 to decide who will build the artificial North Sea Energy Island. Various consortiums have announced that they will submit a bid to construct the island that should be up and running by 2030. In the Baltic Sea, Denmark wants to make Bornholm an energy island in collaboration with Germany (read more on the Danish energy islands on page 36).

Belgium

Another plan for an energy island was announced last year in Belgium, where

TSO Elia wants to realise the Princess Elisabeth Island. This artificial island is an electricity hub where cables from both the Belgian 3.5GW Princess Elisabeth o shore wind farm zone and future o shore wind farms will come together. The island will also be the first building block of an integrated European o shore electricity grid that will connect various hubs and countries together. For instance, Belgium wants to build additional joint interconnections with Great Britain and Denmark. These will give access to the massive amounts of renewable energy that are needed to make the industry less dependent on fossil fuels in the short term.

The artificial Princess Elisabeth Energy Island will be constructed from concrete caissons filled with sand.

Image courtesy of Elia Group.

The island’s high-voltage infrastructure will bundle the wind farm export cables of the Princess Elisabeth zone together, whilst also serving as a hub for future interconnectors with Great Britain (Nautilus) and Denmark (TritonLink).

Hybrid interconnectors

The Princess Elisabeth Island will be the world’s first artificial energy island that combines both direct current (HVDC) and alternating current (HVAC). The island’s high-voltage infrastructure will bundle the wind farm export cables of the Princess Elisabeth zone together, whilst also serving as a hub for future interconnectors with Great Britain (Nautilus) and Denmark (TritonLink). These are so-called ‘hybrid interconnectors’ that have a dual function and are therefore more e cient. They facilitate the exchange of electricity between countries and are also connected with gigantic o shore wind farms in the North Sea that will in due course provide Belgium with large volumes of renewable energy.

Funding

The energy island will be located about 45km o the Belgian coast. The area set

aside for the installation of the electrical infrastructure will be approximately 6ha in size, which is equivalent to about twelve football pitches. The artificial island will be constructed from concrete caissons filled with sand. A small harbour and helicopter platform will also be provided to allow maintenance crews to visit the island. The energy island has received funding from the European Covid Recovery Fund. The Belgian government decided to award the islandwith a grant of approximately USD 107 million.

TM Edison

On 28 February, it was announced that the Belgian consortium TM EDISON (Jan De Nul and DEME) has won the tender for the construction of the Princess Elisabeth Island. The construction of the foundations will begin in early 2024 and will take 2.5 years. After that, the installation of

the high-voltage infrastructure can be started. The latter will be necessary for bringing the electricity from Belgium’s future o shore wind zone to shore. Now that the construction contract has been awarded, the design of the island can be finalised. The caissons will be built and installed in 2024 and 2025. These will form the contours of the island. After that, the base of the island will be raised and prepared for the construction of the electrical infrastructure. Elia aims to ensure all wind farms are fully connected to the mainland by 2030.

Pioneering project

Chris Peeters, CEO of Elia Group says, “This project is a pioneering one for several reasons. It is the most cost-

The vision of the North Sea Wind Power Hub consortium is based on an internationally coordinated roll-out of so-called ‘Hub-and-Spoke’ projects.

Image courtesy of TenneT.

e ective and reliable way to bring o shore wind to shore. It will be an island that provides options for the future. When we connect it to other countries, the Princess Elisabeth Island will become the first o shore energy hub.” Julie De Nul, Director at Jan De Nul Group, adds, “As a company, we are proud to put our weight behind this project through which we, as a Belgian consortium, can support our country to achieve its climate objectives. The combined experience of Jan De Nul and DEME as o shore specialists in dredging, rock armour and o shore energy is an absolute added value.” “We are looking forward to working together to achieve this technical tour de force. The construction of the world’s first

artificial energy island rea rms our country’s expertise in realising complex projects at sea”, Luc Vandenbulcke, CEO of DEME Group, states.

Sharing expertise

According to Tinne Van der Straeten, Federal Minister of Energy, the Belgian o shore expertise is recognised worldwide, “Belgium has been a pioneer in o shore wind power for fifteen years and is once again demonstrating its expertise today through its first energy island – which is also a world first.” Thomas Dermine, Secretary of State for Recovery, voices, “The multifunctional energy island – which is being subsidised by USD 106 million under the Recovery and Resilience Plan – will be

the first of its kind. The expertise acquired by DEME Group and Jan de Nul Group during its construction can be shared around the world to contribute to a lower carbon, more sustainable and more resilient economy as we combat climate change.”

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In 2016, Dutch/German transmission system operator (TSO) TenneT presented its vision for the North Sea Wind Power Hub.

Image courtesy of TenneT.

Making progress

Although providing the largest part of renewable o shore energy, wind is not the only source of power at sea. Marine energy, as well as solar power, are innovative additions to the supply of green energy generated from wind.

Research shows that o shore floating solar (OSF) power has a lot of potential. According to international research agency DNV, it will reach a size of 20,000GW in the future. This is because within the sunbelt – the part of our planet that is sun rich, but wind scarce – solar is by far the cheapest method to produce renewable energy, and land is hard to come by. And in March, showing the Dutch governments support for o shore solar energy, Rob Jetten, Dutch Minister for Climate and Energy Policy, presented the final report of the Interdepartmental

Policy Research (IBO) Climate to the Dutch Parliament, proposing a 3GW target for hybrid o shore floating solar capacity by 2030.

Currently, there are several o shore solar projects running, although most of them are still in an experimental phase trying to deal with the many challenges caused by the harsh circumstance at sea.

SolarDuck

Some projects, however, already have outgrown the experiments, such as of Dutch company SolarDuck. In 2021, SolarDuck showed their floating o shore

solar power concept to the market and since that moment things went very fast. Last year, SolarDuck was awarded construction of the world´s largest hybrid o shore floating solar power plant to date (5MW) at Hollandse Kust West VII o shore wind farm (Netherlands). This was announced soon after the winning bid of RWE’s subsidiary Oranje Wind Power II.

SolarDuck’s CEO Koen Burgers states on this news, “This is a flagship project for SolarDuck and an important milestone for the wider o shore floating solar industry. SolarDuck, being the first to

build a hybrid project at this scale, will demonstrate the robustness of our solution, prove the important role of system integration in building future-fit energy systems and enable the scaling of the technology to accelerate its adoption. We are proud to work together with our partner RWE, in this important project.”

Merganser

In November of last year, SolarDuck and consortium partners Delft University of Technology, Deltares, MARIN, and TNO, have been awarded a USD 8.4 million

subsidy from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) to build and test the o shore floating solar platform Merganser. The Merganser is a prototype installation capable of generating 500kWp of renewable energy at sea.

This new and scalable concept includes six interconnected platforms that can withstand extreme o shore conditions. The consortium will use the subsidy to get Merganser built, waterborne, and tested o shore in the North Sea. When

“SolarDuck, being the first to build a hybrid project at this scale, will demonstrate the robustness of our solution, prove the important role of system integration in building future-fit energy systems and enable the scaling of the technology to accelerate its adoption.”

Koen Burgers – SolarDuck’s CEO.

In 2021, SolarDuck showed their floating offshore solar power concept to the market and since that moment things went very fast.

Photo courtesy of SolarDuck.

the project delivers the expected results, it can easily be upgraded to gigawatt scale, making it ideal for coastal (mega) cities’ energy needs. SolarDuck will take on project management, develop the final technical specifications of Merganser, and provide technical support for the partnering knowledge institutes. In addition, the consortium will develop the requirements for a commercial-sized project of at least 5MWp. To that end, containerisation and pop-up assembly concepts will be designed to arrange for e cient transport and local construction of future Merganser units. The partner institutes will cover a large research

scope, including for example corrosion resistance of the solar and electrical systems, UV degradation of the synthetic anchors and marine growth on the floaters. From monitoring cost of virtually all Merganser aspects (including decommissioning) to investigating possible electrical integration of o shore solar and wind energy and from building fatigue prediction models to flexible mooring line concepts in shallow water, virtually everything is covered in this pilot. The group will even do research into the social acceptance of OFS technology among stakeholders and if Merganser can bring positive contributions to marine biodiversity and

‘new’ habitats. Don Hoogendoorn, CTO of SolarDuck, states, “We are very proud to have the DEI+ subsidy on board to build a scalable floating solar energy solution. Based on our first, successful pilot in 2021, our technology has already obtained an Approval in Principle from Bureau Veritas. We are proud to collaborate with such renowned knowledge institutions as Deltares, Marin, TNO, and TU Delft. Together, we’ll make this project successful and make sustainable o shore solar energy commercially viable much faster. This fits perfectly with our aim to power the world with clean energy and support the energy transition.”

Tokyo Bay

The e orts of SolarDuck are not only recognised in Europe as early this year, the company and its partners Tokyu Land Corporation and Everblue Technologies announced that their proposal for Japan’s first o shore floating solar power generation and automated sailing boat technology demonstration has been selected as part of the Tokyo Bay eSG Project. This is an advanced project led by the Bureau of Policy Planning of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which wants to create a sustainable city that looks 50 to 100 years into the future and aims to implement cutting-edge technologies in the fields of cutting-edge renewable energy, next-generation mobility, and environmental improvement and resource recycling in the central breakwater area. With their project, the three companies aim to realise local production for local consumption of energy in the Tokyo Bay Area in the future through the practical application of Japan’s first o shore floating photovoltaic power generation system, the use of renewable energy generated on the ocean to power electric-powered boats, and the demonstration of marine transportation of storage batteries.

SeaVolt

A second OFS project that is making progress is SeaVolt. As of 2019, the Belgian partners DEME, Jan De Nul, and Tractebel bring together experts in the field of solar PV technology, marine energy, and aquaculture to build o shore solar energy systems. This recently resulted in the introduction of

In November of last year, SolarDuck and consortium partners Delft University of Technology, Deltares, MARIN, and TNO, have been awarded a USD 8.4 million subsidy from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) to build and test the offshore floating solar platform Merganser.

Image courtesy of SolarDuck.

SolarDuck and its partners Tokyu Land Corporation and Everblue aim to realise local production for local consumption of energy in the Tokyo Bay.

Image courtesy of SolarDuck.

SeaVolt. SeaVolt’s technology can withstand harsh o shore conditions while creating large surfaces that are protected from the waves. The modular design allows for easy adaptation to di erent sites and demands. Benefits include local renewable energy production and the possibility to install the panels in o shore wind farms (where local authorities permit multi-use concessions). Another advantage is the addition of large volumes of renewable energy capacity in a relatively short time. The partners, together with Ghent University, started the VLAIO-funded (the Flemish government’s Agency for Innovation & Entrepreneurship) research project MPVAqua (Marine Photovoltaic Aquaculture) within the frame of Blue Cluster four years ago. A marine floater concept was developed together with initial research on e ects on the marine ecosystem, integration of aquaculture, and a financial assessment. Following laboratory testing, the partners are currently developing an o shore test installation which will be launched o the Belgian coast in the summer of 2023.

Furthermore, parallel tracks focusing on the ecosystem, the environment and cost e ectiveness are being launched with the support of the Energy Transition Fund and the Federal Relaunch Fund.

Fantastic opportunities

Philippe Van Troeye, Tractebel’s CEO, says, “In the same way that we have seen wind technology moving from land to the sea, we are seeing the extension of the whole energy system towards o shore locations. Along with o shore green fuel production, o shore energy islands, interconnectors, and potential solutions for energy storage, we believe o shore floating PV has an important role to play in the acceleration of the energy transition. While this technology is still in its infancy, we are convinced that with such strong partners on board we are giving SeaVolt all possible chances to succeed.” Luc Vandenbulcke, CEO of DEME, adds, “With our focus on working towards a sustainable planet, DEME is again showing its pioneering spirit. By working closely with likeminded partners, we have developed

SeaVolt – a new renewable energy solution which has great potential to accelerate the clean energy transition. We believe combining solar and wind energy o shore provides fantastic opportunities for the future.” Philippe Hutse, O shore Director at Jan De Nul Group, states, “We are thrilled to launch the SeaVolt technology, which represents the culmination of years of hard work and innovation in o shore PV technology together with our partners. SeaVolt is a reliable, coste ective, and environmentally friendly solution that can be deployed in even the harshest o shore conditions. As the o shore wind industry continues to grow, we believe that it has the potential to play a crucial role in optimising the use of space at sea by complementing o shore wind farms. We are excited to see how SeaVolt will shape the future of renewable energy and contribute to a more sustainable future.”

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SeaVolt’s technology can withstand harsh offshore conditions while creating large surfaces that are protected from the waves.

Image courtesy of SeaVolt.

X1 Wind’s X30 floating wind prototype delivers first kWh

In March, X1 Wind’s X30 floating wind prototype, installed in the Canary Islands, successfully produced its first kWh.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF X1 WIND.

This milestone marks the world’s only floating wind platform currently installed with a TLP mooring system, which dramatically reduces the environmental footprint and improves compatibility with other sea uses. It further heralds Spain’s first floating wind prototype to export electricity via a subsea cable.

Lift-o moment

‘First power’ was fed into PLOCAN’s o shore platform smartgrid via a 1.4km underwater cable. Local teams will now

enter the last phase of a rigorous test and verification programme which started with the platform installation in November 2022, in preparation of technology scale-up and certification for commercial scale projects currently under development. X1 Wind CTO and Co-founder Carlos Casanovas, says, “First power represents a huge milestone for X1 Wind, and the ‘lift-o ’ moment we’ve been building towards for many years. The first kWh is always a symbolic moment for any new energy generation project, and for our team, partners and

supporters, it crystalises the immense journey we’ve been on and the exciting path which lies ahead. Floating wind is set to play a vital role supporting the future energy transition, global decarbonisation and ambitious net-zero targets. Today’s announcement marks another significant stride forward for X1 Wind accelerating towards certification and commercial scale ambitions to deliver 15MW platforms and beyond in deepwater sites around the globe.”

The X30 platform on its way to its mooring position.

Intense period

The novel X30 platform is equipped with a specially adapted V29 Vestas turbine and ABB power converter. Another key design feature, developed through the EU-backed PivotBuoy project, combines advantages of SPM and TLP mooring systems. The proprietary SPM design enables the floater to ‘weathervane’ passively and maximise energy yields, with an electrical swivel ensuring electricity transfer without cable twisting. The TLP mooring system also dramatically reduces the seabed footprint, compared to traditional designs proposing catenary mooring lines, minimising environmental impact while maximising compatibility with other sea uses, in addition to its suitability to move into deeper waters.

X1 Wind’s Electrical Engineering Manager, Adrian Oliva, explains, “Our first kWh follows a particularly intense period of activity after the dynamic cable lay, platform load-out and installation. Once installed we carried out the first round of testing without power. Now generating power, we’ve commenced a second phase to assess the floater behaviour during operation. This all is part of X1 Wind’s extensive testing verification programme to fully validate the platform in real world operational conditions and de-risk our technology. The novel X30 platform is equipped with all the electrical systems that the commercial platforms will contain, including a commercial turbine, power converter, transformer, slipring, and dynamic cable as well as our in-house SCADA system with multiple sensors to control and monitor the platform’s behaviour in real-time. All this data is being fed into our commercial scale design which is

advancing fast working closely with certification body DNV.”

Close cooperation

Achieving this important milestone is largely due to close cooperation with experienced suppliers as well as PivotBuoy project partners, who have played a key role in the success of this project. ABB Project Engineer, Ramon Macia, states, “We are proud to have been able to contribute to this ambitious project with the X1 Wind team. From ABB we provide experience in regenerative frequency converters, combined with an integral control system developed for Vestas v25, v27 and v29 turbines, installed on land and operating in upwind. In this project we adapted the control for operation on an o shore X30 platform operating in downwind, obtaining excellent results, and highlighting the stability of the

platform-turbine unit operating at sea.” Plataforma Oceánica de Canarias (PLOCAN) CEO, Dr José Joaquín Hernández Brito, adds, “This marks a significant milestone for the Spanish floating wind industry. Spain has established itself as a global leader in innovative floating wind solutions, with numerous companies developing cutting-edge technologies, world-class research groups, and research centres. The government has also demonstrated its support for the sector by implementing new regulations (MSP) and funding initiatives to strengthen testing infrastructure and enable new pilots to advance these solutions. The PivotBuoy project is a prime example of success in this regard, and its accomplishments should inspire future endeavours.”

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“First power represents a huge milestone for X1 Wind, and the ‘lift-o ’ moment we’ve been building towards for many years. The first kWh is always a symbolic moment for any new energy generation project, and for our team, partners and supporters, it crystalises the immense journey we’ve been on and the exciting path which lies ahead.”

Carlos Casanovas – CTO and Co-founder of X1 Wind.

The novel X30 platform is equipped with a specially adapted V29 Vestas turbine and ABB power converter. Another key design feature, developed through the EU-backed PivotBuoy project, combines advantages of SPM and TLP mooring systems.

Technology and stability in today’s o shore wind sector

The o shore wind sector faces a number of challenges in 2023 and beyond, including access to skilled labour in an industry that continues to expand in size and scope. Technology and remotely operated vessels could play a critical role in plugging the gap left by a dearth of specialists.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF GAC.

In 2022, countries turbocharged their e orts to transition to more sustainable energy sources, with o shore wind farms playing a critical role. According to energy and climate think-tank Ember, the EU is on track to exceed its 40% renewable energy target by 2030, with investment in clean

technologies reaching record highs buoyed by an abundance of o shore projects in the North Sea. Meanwhile, o shore renewable energy projects are popping up all over Asia, most notably o the coasts of China and India, as well as in strategic wind development zones in Taiwan and

Vietnam. Similarly, the US has tripled investment in o shore wind to USD 9.8 billion in 2022, according to Business Network for O shore Wind’s 2023 market outlook.

The scale of wind farm projects around the world grew in leaps and bounds last year, both in terms of farm sizes and

their potential energy output. But, like other sectors, o shore wind is up against global inflationary and supply chain pressures which raise uncertainties in long-term commercial and investment decisions. O shore stakeholders are now looking for calmer waters to o set the risks those challenges pose. And in 2023, stability is the name of the game.

Access to skilled talent

One of the main hurdles is access to skilled talent. While oil & gas companies have become leaner in recent years, renewable companies are massively expanding their workforces. The Global Wind Organisation and Global Wind Energy Council anticipated that 568,800 technicians will be needed to build and maintain a global onshore and o shore wind fleet by 2026 – up 33% from 426,700 in 2021. And in a highly competitive job market, the sector also faces talent retention issues. According to the 2023 Global Energy Talent Index, 31% of the renewables workers surveyed said they had been approached to join another company six or more times, and 87% said they would consider switching to another role. Local restrictions and travel impositions during the peak of the pandemic exacerbated access to the available pool of skilled labour. “Port authorities and governments introduced special requirements for crew change operations, which reduced the

frequency and number of o shore crew changes that we could carry out for almost two years”, says Eric Barnard, Managing Director of GAC South Africa. “Thankfully those restrictions have now mostly been lifted and it has become easier to arrange crew change operations, as well as organise the smaller but equally important aspects of the crew change process such as visas, seaman’s books, and airport and hotel bookings and transfers.”

A steady hand

With more than 60 years of experience supporting o shore projects, GAC has adapted and tailored its services to meet its customers’ needs and provide a steady hand amid a period of increased uncertainty. “Third-party logistics partners like ourselves are increasingly being called upon to provide e ective preparation and support to help developers circumnavigate a myriad of global issues”, states Simon Morris, GAC’s Group Business Development Manager, Oil & Gas. “For project managers, remaining flexible to the risks involved in o shore projects has become paramount. Thanks to our global reach, we can draw on the expertise of GAC’s o ces around the world to support o shore platforms and be as agile as our customers need us to be.” GAC provides a range of shipping, logistics, and marine services such as ship agency and husbandry services, barge and tug

Simon Morris, Group Business Development Manager, Oil & Gas of GAC.

Eric Barnard, Managing Director for GAC South Africa.

One of the main hurdles is access to skilled talent.

support, and emergency response capabilities: all vital but sometimes unsung components of o shore energy projects. For o shore crew in key locations, the company provides transportation services to and from o shore platforms from supply and launch vessels, as well as chartered helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft where needed.

Technology

Major stakeholders in o shore wind projects are increasingly turning to emerging technologies to minimise potential disruption caused by shortages of skilled labour and to reduce overheads, minimise their environmental impact and improve operational safety. Unmanned survey vessels (USVs) are staking their claim as a core component in such projects, enabling operations and maintenance players to collect a vast amount of on-site data to aid faster and smarter decision-making. Information gathered related to weather patterns, water currents, seabed conditions and more are valuable when planning other o shore wind farm projects. The technology proved useful in the Greater Changhua o shore wind farm project o the west coast of Taiwan, which aims to become an

While some innovations may be in their infancy, it is importantthat the industry understands how to use technology such as USVs e ectively to meet and support ambitious o shore energy goals.

o shore wind powerhouse and reach net zero by 2050. With GAC’s support, the project used USVs to complete multiple small scopes during the installation phase of the wind farm, including monitoring of seabed conditions, sand waves, asset integrity of monopiles and cable stability. “USV technology could establish a new precedent for supporting o shore projects”, elaborates Erland Ebbersten, Group Vice President – Energy & Marine of GAC. “Unlike a traditional platform at sea, which requires regular crew changes, USVs can reduce the on-site work force and manpower costs, while minimising the need for technical experts and diving teams to operate in high-risk situations.”

Uncertainty remains

However, as with any developing technology, regulatory circumstances are a major consideration. While the International Maritime Organisation has

made a strategic decision to integrate new and advancing technologies into its regulatory framework, uncertainty remains over how USVs, and other remotely operated vessels fit the mould. “While some innovations may be in their infancy, it is important that the industry understands how to use technology such as USVs e ectively to meet and support ambitious o shore energy goals”, Mr Erland adds. Technology is being sought after by the o shore wind industry seeking sense of stability and predictability. Skilled labour looks to remain a key element in the growing scope of the o shore wind sector but until the workforce is fully in place, technology could well plug that gap.

Erland Ebbersten, GAC Group Vice President for Marine & Energy.

USV technology could establish a new precedent for supporting offshore projects.

Delivering the future of o shore energy

The O shore Technology Conference (OTC) is where energy professionals meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for o shore resources and environmental matters. This year, the event takes place from 1 to 4 May at NRG Park in Houston.

OTC supports all o shore energy resources that help power human progress and meet global energy demands. The energy transition is already underway and, now more than ever, it is incumbent upon us to accelerate the advancement of lowcarbon technologies and forge the path toward a more sustainable future.

Leading-edge information

Being a global event, OTC connects +24,000 o shore energy professionals from more than 90 countries to collaborate and discuss the challenges, solutions, and changing energy landscape of the o shore energy sector. Across four days, industry thought

Why attend OTC Houston?

• Quality: 300+ peer-selected technical presentations, leveraging 13societies’ collective knowledge and covering topics from the wellbore to topsides and everything in between.

• Value: 23,000m2 of exhibit space with ground-breaking innovations and 1,000+ leading providers of products and services in one place, at one time.

• Networking: 24,000+ energy professionals from 100+ countries are attending.

• Always Something New: Connect with global C-suite leaders and 100+ speakers to discover what innovations we can expect over the next 50 years.

• Media Exposure: 150+ journalists from around the world attend OTC.

• Investing Back in the Industry: OTC’s sponsoring organisations use revenue to provide many other important programs for its members, such as training and technical journals.

• In the World’s Energy Capital: Combine OTC with client meetings, business proposals, and company training.

The conference programme with more than 300presentations and over 45 technical sessions bring together the technical and scientific knowledge from o shore energy game-changers as they share best practices, technical innovations, energy transition, and emerging trends.

leaders, investors, buyers, and entrepreneurs will meet in the energy capital of the world to develop business partnerships and learn about the latest advances, challenges, and opportunities. The event provides the ability for companies to develop business relationships and tap into emerging regions that are vital to o shore development. Even those who are new to the marketplace have seen that by participating in OTC, they obtain recognition necessary for their growth and visibility to thousands of industry professionals. For four days, visitors will have access to leading-edge technical information, the industry’s largest equipment exhibition, and valuable new professional contacts from around the world. Its large international participation with over 1,000 exhibitors provides excellent opportunities for global sharing of technology, expertise, products, and best practices.

A year’s worth of training

In 2023, OTC will bring a host of new panels and speakers debating and discussing the pressing topics facing the o shore energy sector. The conference programme with more than 300presentations and over 45 technical sessions bring together the technical and scientific knowledge from o shore energy game-changers as they share best practices, technical innovations, energy transition, and emerging trends. Whether it’s oil & gas, wind, hydrogen, or other marine resources, the show provides a central hub for the best and brightest minds in o shore energy. Session topics range from o shore wind, renewables, carbon capture, and energy transition to drilling, completions, and reservoir engineering. During the sessions energy professionals will exchange ideas, concepts, and opinions to further advance scientific and technical knowledge of o shore resources. When you attend OTC, you gain a year’s worth of training and

knowledge in one week from scientists, engineers, researchers, and executivelevel speakers.

Distinguished Achievements

On Sunday 30 April the OTC Distinguished Achievement Awards Event will kick-o OTC 2023. This year, the conference recognises Skip Ward for Individual Achievement, ExxonMobil’s Liza Development project in Guyana for Company Achievement, and Guodong (David) Zhan for Special Citation. The awards event is significant in that it not

only recognises the award recipients but also raises funds for a worthy cause and provides an excellent opportunity for industry executives and leaders to network with colleagues from around the globe. The net proceeds from the awards event are donated to a charitable organisation that is in some way connected to the o shore energy sector or the communities where we operate. More than USD 2 million has been donated to worthy organisations over the last decade.

OTC Houston 2023 at a glance

Venue: NRG Center, NRG Park, 1 Fannin St, Houston, Texas, US Schedule:

1 to 4 May 2023

30 April 2023

1 May 2023

Connecting countries

Danish Energy Islands a step closer to realisation

Together with Belgium, Denmark is one of the first countries to step up the development of energy islands. When everything goes according to plans, two Danish islands should be operational by 2033.

How the artificial island will be constructed has not been decided yet.

In 2020, a broad majority of the Danish Parliament agreed to initiate the realisation of two energy islands, which will connect and distribute power from surrounding o shore wind farms. The artificial North Sea Energy Island will comprise at least 3GW of o shore wind power in 2033, and a total of at least 10GW o shore wind power with 2040 as the target time frame, with the possibility of establishing total o shore wind power of up to 40GW if the power per km2 is increased. Also, from 2030, the island Bornholm in the Baltic Sea will be the

collecting point for 3GW of green power from o shore wind turbines, which will be placed in the Baltic Sea approximately 15km from Bornholm coast.

Fossil-free energy supply

The tender for the o shore wind farms and the construction of the islands is undertaken by the Danish Energy Agency (DEA), while transmission system operator (TSO) Energinet is responsible for, among other things, the establishment of onshore facilities and transmission cables. “For the realisation >>

of the energy islands, Energinet is in charge of the preparatory environmental studies and seabed surveys, the development and operation of the international connections including any possible future links, and of ensuring that renewable energy from the energy islands is connected to and integrated with the onshore energy system”, says Hanne Storm Edlefsen, Vice President for Energy Islands at Energinet. She continues, “Our aim is to have a low price and a high security of supply and therefore we want to have as many as

possible renewable energy providers to come on board as they will be the ones who, through their o shore assets and via the islands, will add electricity to the grid. Today, people are talking about the need for being less depending in a country’s energy supply, however in my opinion this is a short-sighted point of view. For realising a fossil-free energy supply, it is essential to have as many as possible countries connected, and the use of energy island will take away many limitations to realise this.”

Kriegers Flak

Ms Storm Edlefsen has been involved in the energy island project from the beginning and has since seen the project evolve. “Since I became part of the project in 2017, we have made a lot of progress. From a feasibility study it developed into a realistic plan that will now result in two energy islands. In fact, one of the first steps we made with energy hubs was in 2016 when the construction started of the Kriegers Flak

o shore wind farm. The Kriegers Flak Combined Grid Solution project connects the Danish region of Zealand with the German state of MecklenburgWestern Pomerania via two o shore wind farms, German Baltic 2 and Danish Kriegers Flak. The interconnector allows electricity to be traded in both directions – from Denmark to Germany and from Germany to Denmark. As it is the world’s first project combining grid connections to o shore wind farms with an interconnector between two countries it can well be considered as one of the first steps towards an energy island.” In Belgium, TSO Elia will construct the Princess Elisabeth Energy Island and according to Ms Storm Edlefsen both projects have a lot in common. “There certainly is an overlap between the Belgian and our artificial energy island, not in the least because of the 2GW connection that will be realised. Our collaboration already results in a lot of synergy which is very positive.”

One of the first steps made with energy hubs was in 2016 when the construction started of the Kriegers Flak offshore wind farm.

“Today, people are talking about the need for being less depending in a country’s energy supply, however in my opinion this is a short-sighted point of view”

Hanne Storm Edlefsen – Vice President of Energy Islands at Energinet.

Hanne Storm Edlefsen, Vice President for Energy Islands at Energinet.

Photo courtesy of Vattenfall.

Tender process

How the artificial island will be constructed has not been decided yet. “Some sort of caissons enable a flexible way of construction, so they look like a suitable solution, possibly complemented with a platform construction”, Ms Storm Edlefsen explains. It is expected that the DEA will soon start the tender process for the artificial island, and so far, the first two consortiums have announced to submit a bid. VindØ is a consortium that consists of Danish pension funds PensionDanmark and PFA, and utility provider Andel. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) acts as the project developer and has signed a partnership agreement with the four contractors ACCIONA, Boskalis, DEME, and MT Højgaard International. A second consortium that has announced to submit a bid for the construction of the island is formed by Ørsted and ATP. They have chosen Aarsle , Bouygues Travaux Publics, and Van Oord as contracting partners.

Green energy hotspot

In parallel with the artificial island runs the energy hub project on the island Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. The Bornholm project is one of Denmark’s largest infrastructure projects ever. It will be used as a test case and various ideas will be tried. “Energinet’s business case for Bornholm Energy Island’s electricity infrastructure makes it possible to get a more accurate idea of the economic implications of the high-voltage substations and power cables to be used to integrate o shore wind into the power grids of multiple countries”, MsStorm-Edlefsen elaborates. “This way it will act as a showcase for future o shore energy hubs. For this project we collaborate with German TSO 50Hertz, which means that the island will also have a grid connection with Germany. Together with 50Hertz we have taken significant steps towards establishing Bornholm Energy Island. Most recently we expanded our existing cooperation with new agreements on, amongst other things, ownership and costs of the power cables and power installations. The power installations and cables are the heart of Bornholm Energy Island, and the new arrangements made must ensure that Bornholm becomes a hot spot for the development of green

energy from o

i. energinet.dk

shore wind power throughout the Baltic Sea Region.”

i. ens.dk

Last year, VindØ, a consortium that consists of Danish pension funds PensionDanmark and PFA, and utility provider Andel announced to submit a bid in the tender for the construction of the artificial energy island.

Image courtesy of VindØ.

The artificial North Sea Energy Island will comprise at least 3GW of offshore wind power in 2033.

From 2030, the island Bornholm in the Baltic Sea will be the collecting point for 3GW of green power from offshore wind turbines, which will be placed in the Baltic Sea approximately 15km from Bornholm coast.

Making the move from military to o shore wind

The o shore wind industry gained four new recruits recently, after they completed their training with East Coast College as part of a Military into O shore Wind initiative.

This programme aims to attract those seeking a new career after serving in the armed forces into the engineering construction industry. It is a collaboration between the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), East Coast College, and local employers.

Wind Turbine Technicians

The former militaries completed their course at the college’s campus in

Lowestoft and will now move into full time roles as Wind Turbine Technicians with Stowen and Certex. Representatives from the ECITB, Stowen, Certex and East Coast College joined the new recruits on their penultimate day at the college. Matt Knights, Interim Head of Regional Operations at the ECITB, was at the event. He explains the importance this programme has for the wind industry in the East of England: “The ECITB has, in its current strategy ‘Leading Industry

Learning’, pledged to expand entry pathways into the engineering and construction industry. The ‘Military into O shore Wind’ programme is a good example of such a pathway and is a collaborative model between local employers, East Coast College and the ECITB. This initiative complements the ambition of the o shore wind sector deal to facilitate the transfer of former military personnel with appropriate skills into the industry.”

From left to right: Rachel Bunn (East Coast College), Dave Corneby (Coast Line Training Solutions), Jason Bull (Hexis Training), Matt Knights (ECITB), Terry Hoenes (Certex), Kieron Ford (Stowen), Zak Trainor (Learner ex-RAF), George Reeve (Learner ex-Navy), Niall Clayton (Learner ex-Army), and Calum Lockley (Learner ex-RAF).

Photo courtesy of ECITB.

Outstanding calibre

East Coast College’s Skills Lead for East Wind, Rachel Bunn, adds, “This programme was designed to support those seeking a new career in o shore wind and showcases how collaboration can drive success and new career opportunities. The calibre of delegates has been outstanding and, I have no doubt, they will excel in their chosen career.” George Reeve, one of the students on the programme who recently left the Navy, states, “I was attracted by the o shore wind sector due to the unique working environment it can o er. No two days will be the same which is something I’m already used to. I see the industry as a route for me to progress in my career. This training programme is allowing me to take the first steps into the sector and

into employment.” Mr Knights adds, “The ‘Military into O shore Wind’ programme is just one of the many projects in which the ECITB is attracting new entrants into the Engineering Construction Industry to address the skills gaps and forecast labour shortages across the industry. Military personnel are ideal potential employees for the o shore energy industry as they have transferable skills and can bring a wealth of knowledge from management through to problem solving. We are looking to create new pathways into industry, supporting the transition of workers for net zero projects and actively promote the diversity of the workforce.”

Syllabus

The collaborative project was co-funded by the ECITB and East Coast College

through Growth Deal Funding. The programme syllabus included:

• Introduction to the o shore wind sector.

• Health & behavioural safety in the sector.

• Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Basic Safety Training.

• Energy Institute Wind Turbine Safety Rules (WTSR).

• GWO Slinger course.

• Employability support.

• ECITB Wind Turbine Compact and Davit Cranes Maintenance and Statutory Inspection.

• ECITB Wind Turbine Service Lift Maintenance and Statutory Inspection.

• ECITB Inspection of Working at Height Systems & Equipment. i.

“This initiative complements the ambition of the o shore wind sector deal to facilitate the transfer of former military personnel with appropriate skills into the industry.”

Matt Knight – Interim Head of Regional Operations at the ECITB.

Students completing training at the Energy Skills Centre at East Coast College.

Photo courtesy of East Coast College.

Coexistence is essential

DNV report: demand for ocean space will grow fivefold by 2050

The collaboration between ocean industries will need to intensify for the rapid buildout of o shore wind and aquaculture to coexist sustainably with other industries and the ecosystem.

The collaboration between ocean industries will need to intensify for the rapid buildout of offshore wind and aquaculture to coexist sustainably with other industries and the ecosystem.

Photo courtesy of Ocean Sun.

According to DNV’s Spatial Competition Forecast, the amount of ocean space occupied by installations will grow fivefold by 2050. This will be driven by o shore wind, which will account for 80% of stationary infrastructure at sea by midcentury, followed by aquaculture (13%), and oil & gas (5%).

Spatial completion index

Whilst ocean space is plentiful, industrial activity will be located primarily close to shore which will heighten the need for ocean coexistence. To enable stakeholders to gauge the demand for ocean space DNV has developed the Spatial Competition Index. According to this index, the North Sea is the area in Europe which will see greatest competition due to the large number of shipping lanes and ports, as well as the strong presences of the fishing, aquaculture, oil & gas, and wind industries. Installations for o shore energy and food production will cover 23% of the area between 2 to 50km from shore in water depths less than 50m.

242,000km2

Greater China’s emergence as the powerhouse of the blue economy is reflected in o shore construction. It will account for a third of all global infrastructure built at sea by 2050, mainly due to the sharp increase in o shore wind, which will make up 13% of the region’s electricity production. The Indian subcontinent sees the strongest growth in area covered by stationary infrastructure, as the region experiences fast o shore wind development requiring vast areas, whereas historically, o shore oil & gas, and marine aquaculture are negligible in this region. Globally, the area occupied by fixed o shore wind will grow from about 9,000km2 today to about 242,000km2 by mid-century. Floating o shore wind will grow from a low 15km2 today to more than 33,000km2 by 2050. Compared with bottom-grounded installations, floating o shore wind can potentially ease some of the tensions between o shore wind and fisheries, as it takes renewable energy production

According to DNV’s Spatial Competition Forecast, the amount of ocean space occupied by installations will grow fivefold by 2050.

Globally, the area occupied by fixed offshore wind will grow from about 9,000km2 today to about 242,000km2 by mid-century. Floating offshore wind will grow from a low 15km2 today to more than 33,000km2 by 2050.

“The ocean is crucial for the production of sustainable food and energy, but at the same time we must tread carefully as many ocean ecosystems are already under huge stress.” >>

out of the way of the fishing fleet operating on shallow banks.

Tread carefully

“The ocean is crucial for the production of sustainable food and energy, but at the same time we must tread carefully as many ocean ecosystems are already under huge stress”, says Bente Pretlove, Ocean Space Programme Director at DNV. “This report underscores the urgent need to balance protection, productivity, and social development objectives for a sustainable blue economy. Those developers that are most adept at early stakeholder engagement, spatial e ciency, flexible coexistence, and pursuit of sustainability are likely to be most competitive. Coexistence is essential for the sustainable growth of

the Blue Economy.” DNV’s Spatial Competition Forecast builds on the findings of the previously published Ocean’s Future to 2050. The results are based on what DNV forecasts to be the most likely energy mix in 2050 and not what is required to reach net zero. To limit global warming to two degrees the amount of o shore wind in Europe, for example, would need to double.

MARCO toolbox

The Norwegian coast will also experience pressure on space with the expansion of o shore wind and aquaculture in coexistence with maritime tra c, fishing vessels and oil and gas infrastructure. To facilitate collaboration between industries and enable stakeholders to find synergies,

resolve conflicts and safeguard ocean health, DNV has recently received a grant of USD 820,000 from The Research Council of Norway to develop the MARine CO-existence scenario building (MARCO) toolbox. The project aims to establish a common knowledge basis among ocean stakeholders by introducing new ways of generating scenarios for co-existence in marine spatial planning and development projects in the ocean industries. The Utsira Nord o shore wind licensing area in Norway will act as one of the case studies. The partners include o shore wind developer Mainstream Renewable Power, SalMar Aker Ocean, the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, and the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association.

i. dnv.com

North Sea spatial competition in 2050 (including all ocean industry). Installations for offshore energy and food production will cover 23% of the area between 2 to 50km from shore in water depths less than 50m.

Bente Pretlove, Ocean Space Programme Director at DNV.

Mani Kandasamy has joined Quantum as a Hydrodymanics Engineer with 20years of expertise in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Analysis (FEA). He also has extensive experience in the development and use of artificial intelligence, hydrodynamics, and aerodynamics along with thermal and structural designs. With a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa, Mr Kandasamy was a lead member of the engineering team that developed Amazon’s AWS cloud-based software for marine engineering applications.

Another new member of the Quantum Engineering Team is Francisco Miguel Montero who joins as a Research Naval Architect. Most recently, he was Senior Project Manager Seakeeping at the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) in Wageningen, TheNetherlands. In Mr Montero’s nine years at MARIN and four years at INTA model basin in Madrid, he gained extensive experience in the field of ship motions. Furthermore, he helped to define the hydrofoil research strategy and developed new methods to evaluate active stabilisation systems at anchor.

DNV has appointed Torgeir Sterri as new O shore Classification Director for DNV Maritime, with e ect from 1 March 2023. In his new role, Mr Sterri will be based in Norway, heading up the global O shore Class organisation, comprising over 130employees based primarily in Norway and Singapore. A naval architect, he graduated from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and has held a variety of managerial positions in DNV, including assignments as Regional Manager for West Europe (since 2018), Greater China (2013 to 2017) and Central Europe (2010 to 2013).

Lucas Ribeiro, former Area Manager at DNV Maritime will succeed Torgeir Sterri as Regional Manager for West Europe. Mr Ribeiro has worked at DNV for the past 35 years, holding di erent positions in South America, Asia, and Europe. Prior to his role as Area Manager for Iberia, Italy, and Malta, Mr Ribeiro headed the Quality & Production team in the Benelux region, after which he was Area Manager for Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand & Brunei.

Strohm has announced three senior appointments as it gears up for further growth after tripling its production capacity at its facility in The Netherlands.

Sjoerd Verhoef has joined Strohm as Project Director.

In his previous roles, Mr Verhoef supported the aviation and aerospace industry as GKN Fokker’s Chief Engineer, leading the design and production of wing movables. This follows nearly a decade of leadership positions at the company, working across locations and activities around the globe. As the new Project Director, he takes over the mantle from Mr Brinkhuis.

After five successful years as part of Strohm’s leadership team, Mr Brinkhuis has delivered a multitude of global projects for major industry players. In his new role as Operations Director, he will continue to support the wider Strohm team in the delivery of quality and dependable TCP technology across the energy sector.

Mathieu Feisthauer has entered Strohm as Business Development Manager Europe. Mr Feisthauer brings a wide breadth of experience following nearly two decades operating within the maritime sector. He previously held a leadership position with a non-profit organisation, developing and scaling technologies to rid the world’s oceans of plastic.

At the start of 2023, Dr Dominik F. P.Joachim was appointed Managing Director of Stau Germany as well as its Spokesperson. He also became a member of the Management Board of the international Stau Group. Dr Joachim holds a doctorate in Engineering and has spent most of his professional career in the hydraulic industry. Following various management positions at home and abroad, he has been responsible for the global development of the company and the expansion of Stau ’s international market presence since September 2017.

DNV MARITIME

DNV MARITIME

Torgeir Sterri Offshore Classification Director

Mani Kandasamy Hydrodynamics Engineer

Lucas Ribeiro, Regional Manager for West Europe

Francisco Miguel Montero Research Naval Architect

Sjoerd Verhoef Project Director

Mathieu Feisthauer Business Development Manager Europe

Dominik Joachim Member of Management Board

Hubert Brinkhuis Operations Director

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NEXT ISSUES

We have already started preparing our upcoming issues of O shore Industry. Below you will find some of the main topics we are planning to cover. Please feel free to provide our editorial sta with any relevant information, so they can take your input into consideration for publication. Our commercial department will be happy to assist you with your marketing needs.

O shore Industry – Issue 3, 2023

• O shore Europe Aberdeen

• O shore regions: the Netherlands

• O shore construction

• Research, development & consenting

• Cranes & winches

Copy deadline: 07 June 2023

Advertisement deadline: 28 June 2023

Release date: 01 August 2023

O shore Industry – Issue 4, 2023

• ADIPEC Abu Dhabi

• Turbine maintenance & repair

• Maritime water treatment systems

• Training & education

• Safety & security

Copy deadline: 26 July 2023

Advertisement deadline: 16 August 2023

Release date: 19 September 2023

Subjects can be changed without prior notice.

COLOPHON

COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT

MARCO GEELS | Director marco@ynfpublishers.com

ROB DE KERF | Account Manager rob@ynfpublishers.com

EDITORS

ARNO DIRKZWAGER arno@ynfpublishers.com

DANIELA MARKOVIC daniela@ynfpublishers.com

DESIGN

NATHALIE PUTMAN | Art Director nathaliep@ynfpublishers.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS

To subscribe, send an email to subscribe@ynfpublishers.com. Subscriptions will be automatically renewed unless written cancellation is given three months prior to expiry date. Annual subsciption is EUR 110

COPYRIGHT & DISCLAIMER

Offshore Industry is owned and published by Yellow & Finch Publishers.

The publisher, authors and contributors reserve their rights in regards to copyright of their work. No part of this work covered by the copyright may be reproduced or copied in any form or by any means without the written consent of the publisher. No person, organisation or party should rely or on any way act upon any part of the contents of this publication whether that information is sourced from the website, magazine or related product without first obtaining the advice of a fully qualified person.

This magazine and its related website and products are sold and distributed on the terms and condition that:

–The publisher, contributors, editors and related parties are not responsible in any way for the actions or results taken any person, organisation or any party on basis of reading information, stories or contributions in this publication, website or related product.

–The publisher, contributors and related parties are not engaged in providing legal, financial or professional advice or services. The publisher, contributors, editors and consultants disclaim any and all liability and responsibility to any person or party, be they a purchaser, reader, advertiser or consumer of this publication or not in regards to the consequences and outcomes of anything done or omitted being in reliance whether partly or solely on the contents of this publication ands related website and products.

–The publisher, editors, contributors and related parties shall have no responsibility for any action or omission by any other contributor, consultant, editor or related party.

Yellow & Finch Publishers is a member of the Netherlands’ Industrial Press Association (VIP).

ISSN: 1877-1459

Copyright 2023 Yellow & Finch Publishers

Photo courtesy of ADIPEC.

Photo courtesy of CrossWind.