Associated British Ports (ABP) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation with Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) to explore future business collaboration opportunities around floating wind.
The pair also plan to share information and experience on floating offshore wind related port facilities.
Henrik L Pedersen, chief executive of ABP, said: “This agreement with Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC) represents an exciting new stage in our journey towards net zero, for which international collaboration is key.
“Floating offshore wind presents huge opportunities to the UK, from becoming a global leader in green energy generation to creating significant jobs, prosperity and energy security.
“We look forward to working with TIPC to exchange ideas and accelerate the advancement of this technology.”
TIPC Vice President of Business Shu-hui Cheng added: “The third phase of offshore wind power development is about to unfold in Taiwan.
“With larger scale wind turbines, localisation policies, there will be more demand for land and space in ports of Taiwan, and the demonstration plan of floating wind will also bring up more requirements and challenges.
“Through the signing of the MOU with ABP and information sharing between the two parties, I believe that TIPC will be fully prepared on port planning and construction in coordination with offshore wind power policies.
“I would also like to express my deepest appreciation for ABP to visit Taiwan and sign MOU with TIPC despite their busy schedule.
“I believe that the signing of the memorandum is the beginning of mutual cooperation and an important development of future port cooperation between UK and Taiwan.”
ABP is the UK’s leading and largest port operator with a network of 21 ports around UK, handling a quarter of all UK port volumes, worth £157bn in 2022.
Many of ABP’s ports are in close proximity to major British offshore wind farms, and ABP offers tailored services at its various ports to meet wind farm needs.
For example, the Port of Hull hosts the Siemens Gamesa wind turbine blade factory, the Port of Grimsby hosts Europe’s largest offshore wind turbine operations and maintenance centre and the Ports of Lowestoft and Barrow also host significant O&M hubs.
ABP has bold plans for future growth of its offshore wind related activities, including a transformational project to develop a major floating offshore wind hub port at Port Talbot.