Navigating Bottlenecks: Optimising Offshore Wind Port Logistics

Ambitions for offshore wind growth are high across Europe, but existing port capacity is not enough to turn these ambitions into reality. Many ports are actively developing new capacity to meet the upcoming demand. 

Unfortunately, uncertainty in the offshore wind sector makes port development difficult. There are endless logistical options, technology choices, and port activities like manufacturing, wet storage, and component handling to consider. Add wind, waves, and currents into the mix, and it can be hard to find a clear route forward.

All things combined, constructing new port infrastructure will take time and is likely still not enough to meet the demand. Therefore, it is crucial to make optimal use of the port capacity that is already available, and develop new port capacity where it has the highest impact. 

Efficient deployment of offshore wind requires a multi-port strategy

The components needed for offshore wind – like blades, towers, and foundations – are produced at separate manufacturing facilities before being shipped to a single site for assembly and integration before installation offshore. The process differs depending on whether the wind farm is fixed-bottom or floating, with each presenting its own challenges.

Fixed-bottom offshore wind

Currently, most fixed-bottom offshore wind farms are installed using a Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV) that shuttles between the Assembly port and the offshore wind farm.

In shuttling, each component is shipped to an assembly port close to the offshore site and stored. An installation vessel then takes components out to the installation site and installs them one by one.

This approach means components are ready and waiting at an assembly port, facilitating a smooth installation. However, installation vessels are expensive to hire, so using them to ferry components between the port and installation site probably isn’t the optimal use of their time.

Feedering

A potential new strategy is feedering, where the installation vessel is kept at the offshore installation site, and components are transported to it directly from their port of manufacture or an intermediate assembly port. 

This provides more flexibility in where to locate the buffer stocks of components and ensures the expensive WTIV is used for installation instead of transport. In certain cases this can also eliminate the need for an assembly port all together.

However, this means components need to be carefully managed to ensure they are in the right place at the right time. 

You don’t want to leave your installation vessel stalled waiting on components. Equally, you don’t want to leave loaded transport vessels effectively queuing up waiting for the installation team to get to their components. 

Floating offshore wind

Floating wind turbines are much harder to put together offshore, so are instead integrated at the quay in the port. The floating platform is towed to a port to be stored, requiring a significant amount of wet storage, before the turbine is installed on the floating foundation before being towed and secured in its final offshore position.

This requires less back and forth than a fixed-bottom installation, but is more complex and requires a large amount of port space and infrastructure with the ability to handle the weight of every component.

Approach fabrication, assembly and installation as one logistical system

Whatever the chosen approach, smooth transport, storage, and installation relies on an integrated approach between all parties. With different components being constructed at different ports, making sure everything is ready and where it needs to be at an appropriate time takes a lot of organising. 

It’s vital to look at offshore wind construction, assembly, and installation as one logistical system rather than individual smaller parts. By understanding exactly when you need components to be available for installation, you can optimise when they arrive at your port. 

This ensures that you can optimise storage space requirements, but also that you have enough of a buffer to keep installation running smoothly if manufacturing slows for any reason.

Simulation provides invaluable knowledge, without the risk of trial and error

The optimisation of the supply chain is very complex. A powerful tool you can use to optimise the logistics of offshore wind projects is simulation.

Developers selecting which port to use for offshore projects can run simulations to assess different options. And simulations can provide a full picture of every variable. This means you can make accommodations for vessel numbers, wind, waves, and currents and work out the ideal strategy for your project. 

Simulations also give you a good idea of likely installation timelines that you can adjust for vessel speeds and- weather data. You may find one port is likely to take three years to get everything installed and running, whereas working from another port could take longer and the risk profile for this can be understood.

Port owners can also benefit from simulation technology – using it to optimise their offering for offshore wind projects. You can run those same simulations and understand any areas that may be holding you back. 

This helps you focus on optimising areas that will make the biggest difference to your competitive position and make you an attractive partner for developers.

Get specialist support for the next stage of your offshore wind port journey

Developing an integrated approach between port owners, key stakeholders, and developers will help you successfully navigate the logistics of offshore wind assembly and installation. Look at the strengths your facility currently has, but be realistic about your challenges, and work on optimising the areas that will deliver the most value.

Keeping the bigger picture in mind rather than focussing on each element of an offshore wind project separately will also help you achieve a smoother project overall. 

We have expertise in maritime, manufacturing, logistics, and design and engineering that we can combine to maximise your project as a whole. 

What’s more, we have innovative simulation tools to help you trial different options in a risk free, virtual environment so you can make informed decisions about the next stage of your port’s development with confidence.

Get in touch with our specialist Wind Ports team to find your role in the offshore wind sector, today.