The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult is to work with a leading shipbuilder to analyse the future market opportunity for UK-built vessels in offshore wind.
ORE Catapult, in partnership with the National Shipbuilding Office and The Crown Estate, has appointed shipbuilder APCL Cammell Laird to carry out a detailed analysis to help pave the way for more UK-manufactured vessels.
With over 850GW of offshore wind capacity expected to be installed globally by 2050, there is a need for major growth in the production of Service Operation Vessels (SOVs).
SOVs are designed to provide efficient servicing and maintenance of offshore wind farms by, in effect, becoming mobile offshore Operations & Maintenance (O&M) bases.
Analysis carried out by ORE Catapult shows that hundreds of these ships are likely to be in operation around the world in the years to come, with an associated global market of nearly £35bn between now and 2050.
The study by APCL Cammell Laird will help to develop knowledge of how the UK can provide vessel manufacturing to support offshore wind, delivering jobs and economic investment to communities around the country.
Clean maritime manager at ORE Catapult Lauren Hadnum said: “We know that for the UK to tap into the full potential offered by offshore wind, we’re going to need to dramatically increase the number of vessels that are able to maintain the turbines of the future.
“It’s vital, therefore, that we work to ensure as many of those vessels as possible can be manufactured in British shipyards.
“This work will help us to better understand what needs done to make this a reality, and outline ways in which industry and government can work together to develop a successful and joined-up approach to UK shipbuilding for offshore wind.”
APCL group chief technology officer Linton Roberts said: “APCL Cammell Laird is delighted to have been selected to lead the UK SOV manufacturing business case development study.
“This project represents a significant step forward in strengthening the UK’s position in offshore renewable vessel manufacturing.
“As one of the UK’s largest and most established shipbuilders, we are committed to delivering a robust, evidence-based business case that will shape the future of sustainable shipbuilding and reinforce the UK’s role in the global offshore wind supply chain.
“We look forward to working closely with ORE Catapult, The Crown Estate, and the National Shipbuilding Office to drive this vital initiative forward.”