Maersk Supply, Vestas enter offshore wind innovation partnership

Danish offshore shipowner Maersk Supply Service (MSS) and compatriot Vestas, a manufacturer, seller, installer, and servicer of wind turbines, have entered into an innovation partnership to jointly develop solutions and next-generation technology for the sustainable energy industry.

Illustration; Maersk Master; Photo by: Kristoffer N. Ytterland; Image source: Maersk Supply Service

Illustration; Maersk Master; Photo by: Kristoffer N. Ytterland; Image source: Maersk Supply Service

MSS, a company that has served the oil and gas sector for years, said on Thursday that the partnership aimed to address the industry’s future challenges within installation and logistics to decrease the cost of energy.

The company added that the global wind energy production is set to double by 2027, driven by consumer demand for sustainable energy and continuous reduction in cost of energy. One of the industry’s main challenges to continue this trajectory is to lower the cost of transporting and installing wind turbines in remote locations as they increase in size.

“Despite different backgrounds, Vestas and Maersk Supply Service have overlapping long-term goals-Vestas ‘ambition is to be the global leader in sustainable energy solutions and Maersk Supply Service’s vision is to actively take part in solving the energy challenges of tomorrow,” MSS said.

The two companies are developing a crane solution for both onshore and offshore wind turbines that could significantly bring down the cost of installation called Vertical Installer.

The project is being developed in cooperation with MHI Vestas Offshore Wind and has received DKK47 million ($7.3 million) in funding for the next three years from the Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP) via the Danish Ministry of Energy, Utilities, and Climate.

Steen S. Karstensen, CEO of Maersk Supply Service, said: “This is an exciting step for Maersk Supply Service and a great example of how our marine knowledge and versatile fleet can be leveraged in new industries. Our partnership with Vestas and the development of Vertical Installer demonstrates that we are taking action to overcome industry challenges and ensure that the energy needs of the next generation are met.”

According to MSS, the company is participating on the Vertical Installer project with the aim of finding a more efficient method to install offshore wind turbines utilising its current fleet while Vestas and MHI Vestas Offshore Wind are providing the industry insight necessary to ensure that the new solution is developed with the up-to-date knowledge and potential design modifications for future wind turbine models.

Vestas and MHI would also provide access to test facilities both off- and onshore which, MSS said, would reduce the time required before the solution is available in the market.