Contribute to a sustainable world

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

Since 2015, Arnoud Kuis has been Managing Director of Van Oord Ofshore Wind. Because of this function, he is also a member of the Executive Committee of mother company Van Oord. After his graduation as engineer at the Delft Technical University in 1989 (MSc Civil EngineeringOfshore Technology), Mr Kuis made his entrance in the ofshore industry which he never left.

Mr Kuis, can you tell our readers something about the steps you made in your ofshore career?

Mr Kuis: “About 34 years ago I started my ofshore career at Volker Stevin. I became involved in the oil & gas industry when we had to dredge for the Zeepipe gas pipeline between Norway and Belgium. Throughout the years, the Dutch dredging industry had to deal with many mergers and as a result of this I became a Van Oord employee in 2004. At that time, I had been working in Asia for almost seven years, I became Director of Van Oord India. After four years, I made a short move back to the Netherlands where I became involved in the strategy for international recruitment for Van Oord Dredging & Marine Contractors in Rotterdam. However, in 2008 I went abroad again as Director of Van Oord Gulf FZE in the UAE. Although I really liked working abroad, I returned to the Netherlands in 2012 as Area Director Mediterranean, Middle East, and Southwest Asia of Van Oord Dredging & Marine Contractors. Some eight years ago, in 2015, I was appointed in my current position of Managing Director of Van Oord Ofshore Wind.”

What was the role of ofshore wind in Van Oord’s portfolio when you became Managing Director?

Mr Kuis: Before 2015, Van Oord already had been active in the ofshore wind industry, albeit on an occasional basis deriving from our oil & gas activities. When I became Managing Director at Ofshore Wind, we were the EPC contractor for Eneco’s Luchterduinen ofshore wind farm that became operational in 2015. The Gemini ofshore wind farm, which became operational in 2017, was the frst ofshore wind farm for which we not only acted as main contracted for the entire project, but also as shareholder. From that moment we have considerably expanded our ofshore wind portfolio. We made a transition from a dredging company doing occasional ofshore wind projects to an allround ofshore and marine construction contractor. Today, we provide allround solutions taking full responsibility for entire projects. We deliver turnkey projects, including engineering, procurement, and construction. We focus on Balance of Plant contracts (BoP, all supporting components and delivery of auxiliary systems other than the wind turbines) and on Transport and Installation (T&I) projects. We also provide construction services such as scour protection and inter array cable installation.” takes a period of two to three years of preparation for about six to twelve months work. We already know now, what projects we are going to execute in 2025/26. Another diference is that with our dredging activities we work all over the world, and although ofshore wind is making progress in other parts of Europe, the US and Asia, the focus still lies in Northwest Europe.”

What, in your opinion is the biggest diference between the dredging and ofshore wind industry?

There will be a growing demand for foating ofshore wind farms in the upcoming years. How do you look at this development?

Mr Kuis: “Currently, foating is still in its infancy, with only small pilot projects and compared with bottom fxed wind farms, the LCOE of foating is much higher. Also, for the construction of foating wind farms, a lot of space onshore is required for the preproduction of the foaters. Still, in certain situations, foating ofshore wind farms can be a good alternative for bottom fxed as long as the costs drop. Part of the construction is more or less the same as with bottom-fxed, such as for example cable laying, but the installation of the turbines is diferent and this will lead to the entrance of new competitors with other skills compared to ours.”

What is your opinion about other sources of renewable energy at sea?

Mr Kuis: “I personally look with great interest at ofshore solar power, as I think that this can grow into a valuable addition to new to construct and existing ofshore wind farms. Floating solar power can proft from the existing

Mr Kuis: “Compared with dredging projects, ofshore wind projects have a much longer lead time. It often >> infrastructure and this way be easily implemented. One of the challenges lies of course in the forces of the waves and how to adapt the construction of the solar power generators to this. We keep a keen eye on this relatively new development and we hope to contribute to this wherever possible and suitable.”

How does Van Oord deal with the current upscaling of ofshore wind?

Mr Kuis: “The upscaling indeed is very impressive. The fact that turbines grow, also means that the entire supply change must adapt to the larger turbines, and we are no exception in this. Take for example our vessel Aeolus. This was launched in 2014, and has already had several refts and two new, larger, cranes to meet the upscaling of the turbines. Apart from the upscaling, the raise in efciency of the ofshore wind industry also is spectacular. For the construction of the 600MW Gemini ofshore wind farm, two main installation vessels were used, and it took us two years to complete the wind farm. Today, projects of the same size can be constructed with one vessel in about six months.”

Several governments have set high goals for the realisation of ofshore wind farms. Will it be feasible to fulfl these goals?

Mr Kuis: “When looking at the Netherlands, with around 4.7GW realised at the end of this year, the goal for 72GW in 2050 seems impossible at frst sight. However, when looking at the above-mentioned upscaling of the turbines and the improved efciency of installation, there are no technical limitations. However, there are various other restricting issues for which action is required, for example when looking at the tendering and permitting procedures. And the entire supply chain should be able to deal with the upscaling, too. Finally, it will be no surprise, one of the biggest challenges in the current market is the lack of human resources. Where will we fnd the skilled people necessary to help us realise the 72GW target? And this not only counts for the Netherlands, as many countries has set ambitious goals and are dealing with a tight labour market.”

Has it always been your dream to work in the ofshore industry?

Mr Kuis: “Yes, I have always had a technical interest and the ofshore oil & gas industry, with the huge facilities at sea always attracted. Working ofshore seemed very adventurous to me and this made me decide to choose for ofshore technology at my engineering study at Delft University. I have never regretted my choice to join this industry. I had a great time abroad, where I really learned a lot. I can recommend this to everyone. And now, working in ofshore wind gives me the opportunity to be in a very challenging and innovative environment and meanwhile I can modestly contribute to a more sustainable world. I have spent a long time of my career at Van Oord in various roles and at various locations and it still is a very nice company to work for. Always picking up new challenges is in the company’s DNA, and throughout the years, the company evolved to keep up with changing market conditions. This asks for a certain amount of curiosity and willingness to take risks. Something that fts me quite well.”

What are your goals for the upcoming years?

Mr Kuis: “First of all, I want to help Van Oord to remain fnancially healthy and future proof. Meanwhile this gives me the chance to contribute to the energy transition. I am also board member of the Netherlands Wind Energy Association (NWEA), and the International Marine Contractors Association. Both roles enable me to promote the interests of the entire ofshore industry, which is something I hope to continue in the next years.” i. vanoord.com