ABS, a global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, has published a report evaluating the United States offshore wind industry’s readiness to deliver the 40 GW of offshore wind capacity the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates will be installed by 2040. Offshore Wind Report, Positioning for US Expansion: US Ports and Vessels Innovation, assesses US port infrastructure, availability of specialist support tonnage, as well as looks at emerging industry trends and challenges for the growing US offshore wind market.
“ABS is playing a leading role in the development of the US offshore wind industry, supporting development of specialist tonnage dedicated to operations in US waters and the next generation of floating turbines,” said Matt Tremblay, ABS senior vice president of Global Offshore. “As the leading provider of classification services to the global offshore industry, combined with our extensive knowledge of US regulations, ABS is in a unique position to support development of the US offshore wind industry and this report demonstrates our commitment to that.”
ABS will class the first Jones Act compliant wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) under construction at Keppel Amfels for Dominion Energy and the first Jones Act compliant service operation vessel (SOV) to be built at Edison Chouest for Ørsted and Eversource. These vessels will join the first ABS-classed crew transfer vessel (CTV) in the United States, Windserve Odyssey. ABS has also issued approval in principle for a series of wind support vessels, such as WTIVs, SOVs, feeder vessels, and CTVs from United States and European designers.
ABS offers a classification roadmap from concept, basic design, and detailed design to construction and in-service operation of the wind farm support vessels. At each stage, ABS conducts an independent review of the submitted documents with respect to various design aspects including hull structures, safety, system, and stability. ABS provides classification services for a range of wind farm vessels and the certification of the installed equipment that will assist owners, operators, designers, shipyards, and manufacturers in meeting Class Rules and safety requirements for compliance with international and US regulations.
