A recent report published by the class society ABS, in collaboration with Intelatus Global Partners, forecasts a significant increase in the need for specialized offshore support vessels to facilitate floating offshore wind developments. The study, titled "Floating Offshore Wind and the Vessels That Support It," specifically points to large anchor handling tug supply vessels (AHTSs) and multipurpose support vessels (MPSVs) as crucial assets for the execution of these projects.
This heightened demand is expected to materialize in the latter half of the 2020s, with the report suggesting that availability issues for certain vessel types could emerge as early as 2029. The analysis delves into the implications for current vessel suitability, necessary upgrades, and the future requirements of the global fleet to meet the unique challenges posed by floating offshore wind technology.
For freight forwarders and logistics professionals, this trend signals potential capacity tightening and increased costs for specialized offshore vessel charters. Forwarders involved in project cargo for renewable energy infrastructure should anticipate longer lead times and potentially higher rates for securing AHTS and MPSV services. This could impact the overall project timelines and budgets for clients developing floating offshore wind farms, necessitating early planning and strategic procurement of vessel capacity.
