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UK Gov funds low carbon vessel for floating wind market

By: Chloe Emanuel 29/01/2024 Morek

Vessels

The UK Government has granted funding to a consortium spearheaded by Morek Engineering, marking a significant stride in the development of a first-in-class low-carbon installation vessel for the rapidly growing floating offshore wind market.

The consortium, comprised of Morek Engineering, Solis Marine Engineering, Tope Ocean, First Marine Solutions, and Celtic Sea Power, secured the funding through the UK Government's Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition. Their success was attributed to their proven expertise in innovative vessel design and the successful delivery of intricate offshore operations.

Bob Colclough, Managing Director of Morek Engineering, expressed excitement about the project, stating, "This will be a first-in-class low-carbon vessel designed specifically to meet the complex installation requirements of floating offshore wind farm moorings and foundations."

As the next era of offshore wind development shifts towards floating foundations, the project aims to unlock deeper sites and access stronger winds further from shore. Colclough emphasized the need for a cost-effective solution to deliver serialized installation of large moorings and floating foundation systems, thereby minimizing carbon emissions during the construction and maintenance of the next generation wind farms.

The project is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition Round 4 (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) and delivered by Innovate UK. Ian Godfrey, Managing Director of Tope Ocean, highlighted the importance of this endeavor, citing that offshore wind farm operation and maintenance vessels contributed over 3% of domestic shipping emissions in the UK in 2022.

Godfrey stated, "With ambitious targets to develop the UK's offshore wind capacity, it is vital to pioneer a new approach to offshore service vessels, embracing Clean Maritime and Net Zero objectives."

The consortium will conduct a detailed feasibility study to meet the requirements of the emerging global floating offshore wind sector. The new vessel will set a new standard for environmental performance and aims to achieve approval in principle by early 2025.

Bob Colclough added, "We are aiming to be included in the national shipbuilding strategy, cementing the UK position to deliver Net Zero 2050. Our next-generation vessel will help accelerate the growth of the floating offshore wind market worldwide, providing low-carbon installation and maintenance."

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UK Gov funds low carbon vessel for floating wind market

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