Image: Maersk Offshore Wind
Maersk Offshore Wind is building a wind installation vessel concept (Maersk WIV) that can install offshore turbines faster and cheaper.
Denmark-headquartered Maersk Offshore Wind, which is owned by AP Moller Holding, is a spinoff of Maersk Supply Service, which designed and developed the wind installation vessel concept. The Maersk WIV (concept pictured above) will be permanently stationed at a wind farm to install turbines in succession. The wind turbine components are shuttled back and forth from the port to the Maersk WIV by purpose-built tugs and barges. The Maersk WIV, the tugs, and the barges all have bespoke locking and stabilizing technology that enables them to operate in harsh weather conditions. Maersk Offshore Wind asserts that the stabilizing technology will reduce installation time by 30%, which in turn will bring the cost down as well. The first Maersk WIV is now being built at Seatrium in Singapore, and it’s expected to be delivered in mid-2025. Its first project will be Equinor’s Empire Offshore Wind in New York State.
Maersk Offshore Wind CEO Michael Reimer Mortensen said, “With our highly skilled and experienced team leveraging decades of expertise in operating large assets and executing complex offshore projects, Maersk Offshore Wind will focus on providing offshore wind installation services worldwide to improve both the installation process and address critical port infrastructure needs.