Offshore wind could see crunch of installation vessels from 2024

Demand for vessels capable of installing the ever increasing offshore wind turbines will outpace supply by 2024, Rystad Energy projects.

According to the Oslo-based research firm, offshore wind installations could slow down if operators do not invest in new vessels or upgrades.

Global demand for offshore wind turbine installation vessels, excluding China, is expected to surge to almost 79 vessel years by 2030 from 11 vessel years in 2021. Most of the demand in 2030 will be for vessels for 9-MW-plus turbines -- 62 vessel years, a research by the firm showed last week.

Currently, there are a handful of purpose-built vessels suitable for 10-MW-plus turbines and none for 14-MW-plus turbines, which generally need a 1,500-tonne crane with 150 metres lifting height, Rystad Energy said. Several vessels are upgrading to 1,600-tonne cranes between 2022 and 2024 and newbuilds will also start being delivered.

Pending orders, excluding vessels destined for China, show that all 11 ships will get cranes of more than 2,000 tonnes and some even 3,000 tonnes, the firm said.

In addition, some semisubmersible heavy lift vessels are taking up turbine installation work after previously being deemed too large and inefficient for smaller turbines.

Lower crane capacity vessels remain in demand in China, which is expected to lag behind Europe in average turbine size up to 2030.

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