MSS and GustoMSC to design next-gen WIV

Maersk Supply Service (MSS) and GustoMSC have entered into an agreement to design a new generation of wind installation vessels (WIV) aimed at growing Europe’s offshore wind sector. The new design will be based on the same patent and characteristics of the feeder concept, developed for the US market, the companies said.

The patented design will focus on maximising uptime. The jack-up WIV will remain on station at the wind farm, supplied by tugs and barges transporting components such as turbine towers, nacelles, and blades from supply bases ashore.

The arrangement will be less prone to weather delays, enabling continuous installations throughout the year, contributing to a lower levelised cost of energy. The partners expect the supply system to be 30% more efficient in terms of vessel uptime compared with conventional jack-up vessels.

MSS chief commercial officer, Jonas Munch Agerskov, commented: "Europe is an attractive market for offshore wind, and we believe that our concept is also suitable for this region. As the Wind Installation Vessel itself does not sail into ports, this can solve some of the bottlenecks we currently see in Europe, where only a few ports are large enough to handle the growing wind turbine sizes. We look forward to collaborating with GustoMSC on getting this new basic design ready.ˮ

Speaking for GustoMSC, Nils van Nood, managing director, said: "As GustoMSC, a subsidiary of NOV, we look forward to working with the Maersk Supply Service team on a next generation wind turbine installation jack-up for the international market. Having a decades-long history of working together, both companies will combine their years of offshore experience and design know-how in this collaboration. Against the backdrop of growing turbine sizes, we jointly aim to further improve installation efficiencies and development economics in the bottom-fixed offshore wind market.ˮ