Supersize offshore wind buildout stymied by lack of vessels
Ships suitable for transporting the new generation of huge wind turbines are in short supply, but oil & gas EPC contractors are being attracted to the market
The global offshore wind power industry is facing a shortage of specialised vessels needed to install the new generation of supersized turbines that are proving increasingly popular with project developers. The market for wind turbine installation vessels was already in choppy waters last year after the pandemic upended the global economy, leading to construction delays as countries went into lockdown. Major suppliers of heavy-lift (HL) vessels—the likes of DEME Group from Belgium and Rotterdam-headquartered Van Oord—reported delays to contract execution last year, which analysts at information provider IHS Markit say lowered estimated market utilisation for 2020 to c.32pc. The outlook now l
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Emerging industry must work with policymakers to convince a broader pool of investors to buy into its long-term potential
12 March 2026
Role of world’s largest carbon cap-and-trade market under scrutiny as war in Iran threatens to drive EU energy costs to unsustainable levels
10 March 2026
Europe urgently needs to bring more projects to FID, as CCS investors warn they might divert capital to faster-growing regions
9 January 2026
A shift in perspective is needed on the carbon challenge, the success of which will determine the speed and extent of emissions cuts and how industries adapt to the new environment
