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As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, the offshore energy sector stands at a defining crossroads. While oil and gas continue to play a vital role in meeting today’s global energy demands, it is offshore renewable energy-particularly wind, wave, and tidal power-that will shape the long-term trajectory of our industry. This is not just a question of environmental responsibility; it is a matter of energy security, economic resilience, and strategic foresight for Europe and beyond.
Recent years have seen encouraging growth in offshore wind capacity across European waters. But if we are to meet our net-zero commitments and ensure a stable, secure energy future, this growth must accelerate-and be accompanied by investment in the next generation of marine renewables and the infrastructure to support them. Offshore energy is no longer a niche pursuit. It is becoming the foundation of a new energy system-one capable of delivering clean, reliable power at scale, independent of geopolitics and volatile supply chains.
Europe, with its extensive coastlines and technological leadership, is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. Yet leadership requires commitment. Long-term development plans must extend beyond the 2030 horizon and envision what a truly post-oil and gas energy system looks like. This includes massive expansion of offshore wind-fixed and floating-alongside grid integration, storage solutions, hydrogen production, and smart digital networks that can manage decentralized, weather-dependent power sources.
At the same time, we must approach this transition pragmatically. Oil and gas will not disappear overnight. The offshore industry’s existing expertise, infrastructure, and workforce are invaluable assets in accelerating the renewables build-out. Moreover, offshore renewables offer more than just sustainability-they offer sovereignty. In a world marked by increasing geopolitical tension and uncertain energy imports, the ability to produce vast amounts of clean electricity from our own seas is a strategic advantage Europe cannot afford to ignore.
This edition of Offshore Energy Magazine explores how developers, and supply chains are responding to this moment. The pages ahead paint a picture of an industry in motion-both proud of its past and ambitious about its future.
The editorial team
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The sea is in our DNA. For centuries, Dutch ships have set sail to discover, to trade, to connect. Events like SAIL Amsterdam or World Port Days in Rotterdam remind us: the maritime world is not just our past; it is our future. And that future demands courage.
For me, it’s personal. I grew up between cranes, steel plates, and the smell of fresh paint. My family’s shipyard has been building vessels for over two hundred years. We survived crises, wars, and fierce competition – never by standing still, always by adapting. More than twenty years ago, we already built vessels with diesel-electric propulsion, ready for emission-free sailing. The first hydrogen-powered passenger ship in Amsterdam? It came from our yard.
But tradition alone won’t carry us forward. Innovation today is about more than cleaner engines or alternative fuels. It’s about rethinking how we collaborate, how we connect across sectors, and how we create economic and social value that lasts.
The rules of the game are shifting. Other nations are moving fast with bold new strategies. We cannot afford to let caution slow us down. Curiosity and technology may be in our DNA, but they must be nurtured. That means celebrating risk-taking, not just avoiding mistakes. Successes born from risk should be spotlighted – in boardrooms, classrooms, and even at family dinner tables.
And here, the role of our front-runners is vital. The companies that dare to move
first are not only engines of economic growth, they are also changemakers who make real transitions possible. Their leadership goes far beyond the bottom line: they pull entire ecosystems forward – from SMEs to start-ups, from research institutes to government.
We already see it happening. Allseas is developing a vessel capable of collecting polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor – a potential gamechanger for critical raw materials needed in batteries and high-tech. Shell is building one of Europe’s largest hydrogen plants at Maasvlakte, a project that will help decarbonize heavy industry and transport.
Boskalis is constructing an impressive next-generation 31,000 m3 trailing suction hopper dredger at Royal IHC, equipped with sustainable propulsion and prepared for green methanol. And at our own family yard, we built the ‘Wim Wolff’, a cutting-edge research vessel for NIOZ – combining advanced science with a minimal ecological footprint.
These are not isolated projects. They are proof of a Dutch spirit of pioneering – driven by craftsmanship, collaboration, and courage.
That’s why my message to political leaders is clear: be proud of Dutch industry. Cherish it. Give it the trust, space, and conditions it needs to lead the transitions ahead. Without it, we risk losing not only companies, but also the very people and capabilities that can deliver the solutions the world is waiting for.
Relationships are our true currency. Breakthroughs are built on partnerships – across borders, across industries, across the public–private divide. What we need now is the courage of our ancestors, the creativity of our engineers, the vision of our policymakers, and the executional power of our entrepreneurs.
Every journey begins by leaving safe harbour. Today, the winds of change are strong.
So let me ask you:
What kind of changemaker will you be? Will you stand on the quay and watch? Or will you join the crew and help write the next chapter of the Netherlands at sea?
Thecla Bodewes
Royal T Shipyards (formerly Thecla Bodewes Shipyards)
Chair Dutch Top Sector Water & Maritime
The Trump administration has warned the UK government over security risks as Mingyang Smart Energy plans to build a factory in Scotland to produce offshore wind turbines for the North Sea market. A Chinese analyst has commented saying the talks about security risks are “protectionism under national security guise”.
Mingyang Smart Energy entered the European offshore wind market at the beginning of 2021 as the Italian Taranto project, the country’s first offshore wind farm (now operational), chose to go with the company’s MySE 3.0-135 model instead of the initially planned Senvion technology.
Shortly after delivering the Taranto wind turbines in October 2021, Ming-
yang announced that it secured a second offshore wind contract in Europe for a floating wind project that would use the company’s 11 MW hybrid drive model.
In December 2021, the UK Department for International Trade (DIT) and Mingyang Smart Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the wind turbine OEM on its proposed
investment in a blade manufacturing factory, a service center and potentially a turbine assembly factory in the UK.
In July 2022, the Chinese OEM started trading on the Shanghai segment of the London Stock Exchange (LSE), and in September 2022, Hexicon selected Mingyang as the preferred turbine supplier for its 32 MW TwinHub floating offshore wind project in the UK.
The following year, Mingyang and Opergy Group entered a strategic partnership with an aim of accelerating the development of UK offshore wind projects and supporting the entry of Mingyang into the UK offshore wind market, according to the two companies.
In July 2024, Luxcara signed a preferred supplier agreement with Mingyang Smart Energy for the Waterkant offshore wind project in the German North Sea, where the German clean energy asset manager plans to install Mingyang’s 18.5 MW wind turbines.
Shortly after, Mingyang Smart Energy signed a memorandum of understand-
ing (MoU) with its first European offshore wind client, Renexia, and Minister Adolfo Urso from the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) for the production of Mingyang wind turbines in Italy and the supply of its 18.8 MW model for Renexia’s new project, the Med Wind floating wind farm.
In October 2024, Renexia also signed a contract with Mingyang for the frontend engineering design (FEED) of the 2.8 GW Med Wind project in Italy.
Mingyang is reportedly also being considered as a preferred supplier for the Green Volt project in Scotland, said to be the first large-scale commercial floating wind in Europe, developed by Flotation Energy and Vårgrønn.
Mingyang technology
Over the past several years, Mingyang Smart Energy has introduced a series of increasingly large offshore wind turbines. In 2020, the company released the MySE 11-203, an 11 MW turbine with a 203-meter rotor. This was followed in 2022 by a 12 MW turbine, designed with enhanced durability for typhoon conditions.
In 2021, the company announced the MySE 16.0-242, a 16 MW turbine with a 242-meter rotor diameter, which was installed at an offshore wind farm in 2024.
In 2023, Mingyang introduced the MySE 18.X-28X, an 18 MW-class turbine with a rotor diameter exceeding 280 meters and 140-meter blades. By the end of that year, the company rolled out the MySE 18.X-20MW platform, which supports rotor sizes between 260 and 292 meters and is built to operate in extreme wind conditions.
Last year, the Chinese wind turbine OEM installed 18 MW and 20 MW prototypes and is also developing a 22 MW model with a rotor over 310 meters.
Also in 2024, Mingyang installed a V-shaped floating wind turbine for demonstration in China. The platform comprises two MySE8.3-180 hybrid drive wind turbines, each with a capacity of 8.3 MW, mounted on a 369-meter-wide floating foundation.
Security concerns
A few months after Luxcara signed the preferred supplier agreement with Mingyang for its German offshore wind project last year, the German Ministry for Economy and Energy (BMWK) issued an action plan that also addresses the cybersecurity of wind turbines.
The five-point action plan, which specifically mentions Chinese suppliers in a few instances, is said to ensure a level playing field between European and international wind turbine manufacturers and, besides cybersecurity, encompasses measures on fair competition conditions, reducing dependencies on critical components, financing production ramp-up, and a revision of project financing provided by German and EU banks and institutions.
In the UK, concerns over national security were raised as Mingyang proposed to build a wind turbine factory in Scotland and following reports about the Green Volt partners considering Mingyang technology for its Scottish floating wind farm.
The joint venture, which is yet to select a preferred wind turbine supplier, is reportedly waiting on the UK gov-
'Currently, the UK has around
ernment to come to a conclusion on whether using Chinese wind energy technology would pose national security risks.
The Guardian writes that Mingyang’s plans in Scotland and Green Volt potentially using the Chinese company’s technology came under scrutiny as the UK government recently took control of British Steel after claims that Jingye Group, the owner of the British steel manufacturer, wanted to make the steel plant in Scunthorpe 'a dumping ground for Chinese steel', which brought the Chinese companies’ involvement with critical national infrastructure into the spotlight.
On 18 June, the Financial Times reported that the Trump administration warned the UK government about national security risks that could arise if Mingyang is allowed to build its plant in Scotland and supply its technology to North Sea wind farms.
Following the news on the US warning, Chinese media outlet Global Times cited a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, He Weiwen, as saying this was 'protectionism under national security guise' and 'a clear example of Washington’s overreaching jurisdiction and protectionist policies'.
Last year, as news emerged on Vestas’s plan to build a new offshore wind turbine blade factory in Leith, Scottish Deputy Prime Minister, Kate Forbes, said there was 'room' for both Mingyang and Vestas as energy transition ambitions in Scotland require an 'enormous' transformation in the supply chain, according to a Financial Times report from November 2024.
The Guardian cites an industry source as saying the Green Volt joint venture 'tried to get European manufacturers to no avail'. Referring to the UK energy secretary’s visit to China this year to
discuss closer cooperation, the Guardian’s source said Ed Miliband was 'on to something here' as the question is who is going to supply wind turbines if the country wants to reach its offshore wind targets if they are not coming from Chinese companies.
Under its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, the UK government wants to make renewable energy and nuclear power the cornerstones of the 2030 energy mix, with 43-50 GW of offshore wind in operation by that time. Currently, the UK has around 14.8 GW of installed offshore wind capacity.
For Europe, the plan is to have 111 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 300-400 GW by 2050. According to the industry, the 2050 target means more than 10,000 wind turbines need to be installed to reach the planned capacity.
By Adrijana Buljan
‘Boreas is world’s largest, most sustainable offshore wind installation vessel’
Oord christened the latest addition to its fleet, Boreas, in June
The company says its new jack-up, set to soon debut on the German Nordseecluster project, is the largest and most sustainable offshore wind installation vessel in the world.
Van Oord christened the latest addition to its fleet, Boreas, in June in Rotterdam. The company says its new jack-up, set to soon debut on the German Nordseecluster project, is the largest and most sustainable offshore wind installation vessel in the world. The Dutch marine contractor ordered the self-elevating vessel at the Yantai CIMC Raffles shipyard in October 2021 and took delivery of the newbuild in January this year. After the christening ceremony, Boreas will head to its first offshore wind project, the Nordseecluster in Germany, owned
by RWE and Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM).
Van Oord’s scope on Nordseecluster includes the installation of 104 monopiles for the wind turbines, as well as the installation of the foundation of the offshore substation and scour protection. The foundation for the substation and 44 monopiles for the wind turbines at Nordseecluster A, the first phase, are planned to be installed this year, while the 60 monopiles for Nordseecluster B are scheduled for installation in 2027.
The 175-meter-long Boreas, named after the Greek god of the Northern winds, is purpose-built for the transport and installation of the nextgeneration foundations and wind turbines. The vessel has a crane with a 155-meter-high boom, able to lift over 3,000 tons, and can install offshore wind turbines of up to 20 MW with a total height of 300 meters.
According to its owner, the new jack-up is the first vessel of its kind equipped with dual-fuel methanol
engines, and operating on methanol reduces its carbon footprint by over 78%. Boreas also features Selective Catalytic Reduction to minimize NOx emissions and a battery pack of more than 6,000 kWh, which helps further reduce fuel consumption and emissions, Van Oord says.
“The Boreas is the largest investment in our company’s history, a testament to our ambition to remain a frontrunner in offshore wind, accelerate the energy transition and perform our work responsibly. We have been leading our industry in the adoption of more sustainable green marine fuels even more with the capability to sail on methanol. The Boreas adds a new chapter to our net-zero emission
journey”, said Govert van Oord, CEO of Van Oord.
The offshore installation vessel was constructed at the Yantai CIMC Raffles Offshore shipyard in China.
“Undoubtedly Boreas is a benchmark for the whole offshore wind industry for many years to come and will play a significant role for the transportation and installation of the next generation of foundations and up to 20MW offshore wind turbines at sea,” according to Zhao Hui, Vice President of CIMC Raffles Group.
At the christening of its new vessel, Van Oord also shared that the company’s climate goals have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), making it the first marine contractor to align with the 1.5°C pathway of the Paris Agreement. Van Oord submitted its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets to the SBTi in May 2023 and had a dialogue on sector classification and used the Maritime Guidance for its fleet-related targets. SBTi formally communicated the approval of all Van Oord’s targets on June 1.
By Adrijana Buljan
Statistics Norway, the Norwegian statistics bureau, has revealed a spike in estimates for oil and gas spending in 2026, which is anticipated to hit NOK 230 billion (approximately $22.55 billion), thanks to higher price estimates in the production drilling segment.
As total investments in oil and gas activities, including pipeline transportation, are expected to reach NOK 230 billion next year, this represents an 11% increase from the sum estimated in the previous quarter, according to Statistics Norway, which highlights that oil companies’ investment estimates for 2026 are 4.5% lower than the corresponding estimate for 2025, driven
by lower investment plans in field development.
The Norwegian Offshore Directorate (NOD) warned in 2024 that over $1.42 trillion (NOK 15 trillion) was at risk of being lost if Norway did nothing to ramp up its search for remaining hydrocarbon resources on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) and
employ new technology to increase production levels.
Following a recent upward revision, the spending for oil and gas extraction and pipeline transport is estimated at NOK 275 billion (around ($26.9 billion) in 2025, which is 2.1% higher than previously estimated and 6.9% higher than the corresponding estimate for last
year, mainly due to much higher investments in fields on stream, alongside exploration and concept studies, onshore activities, and pipeline transport.
On the other hand, the statistics show that field development, shutdown, and removal were higher in 2024; thus, the growth for these areas is on a downward spiral in 2025. Regarding the estimates for next year, the multibillion-dollar investments are expected to be driven by fields on stream, field development, onshore activities, and shutdown and removal.
While the boost will be supported by the decision to initiate new projects and drilling campaigns across several fields, with production drilling contributing the most to the rise within fields that are already online, exploration and pipeline transportation segments are expected to assist in mitigating the hike in estimates.
Equinor, the Norwegian state-owned energy giant, revealed its investment game plan last year, outlining annual injections of $5.7 – $6.6 billion into the Norwegian oil and gas ecosystem by
2035 to keep the daily production level at around 1.2 million barrels during the next ten years while halving emissions by 2030 in line with the Paris Agreement.
Based on the Norwegian statistics bureau’s data, investments of NOK 132 billion ($12.9 billion) in the first half of 2025, said to be up 11% from the sum made in the first half of 2024, are forecast to be eclipsed by investments of NOK 143 billion ($13.98 billion) in the second half of the year, mostly prompted by increased planned activity in production drilling, which is perceived to be sensitive to changes and volatility in oil and gas prices.
Statistics Norway’s Ståle Mæland emphasized: "With lower and more volatile oil prices over the past four months and lower gas prices so far this year, there is a risk that some of the planned drilling campaigns may be postponed. Historical figures from the statistics show that the estimate for investment measurement in August in the statistical year has averaged about 3.2 percent higher than the final investment figures over the past 20 years.
"However, in two of the last three years, the estimate given in August has been lower than the final figures.
This, along with the relatively low growth projected for the second half in the census’s estimate, makes it entirely possible that the investments currently estimated for 2025 will be realized."
By Melisa Cavcic
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) can play a key role in speeding up Asia’s transfer from coal to more renewable sources in power generation and help the region–and consequently, the world–meet its decarbonization objectives, a new study by S&P Global Commodity Insights (SPGCI) has found.
Being home to more than half of the global population, Asia represents nearly half of the world’s emissions and energy consumption, accounting for 45% in the first and 49% in the second category. Its rapid development is expected to drive global economic and energy demand growth.
However, while the world is moving away from fossil fuels, they still play a prominent and persistent role in Asia’s energy mix, and the region faces major challenges in its transition to cleaner energy.
Inadequate economic incentives for decarbonization, the legacy of entrenched coal dependence, and uneven renewable energy resource distribution are listed as some of the
reasons for Asia’s slow pace of power transition.
Coal remains a major energy source in the region, representing around 80% of global coal use. Furthermore, its use has grown at an approximately 2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2015 to 2024, the study states. Since efforts need to shift into a higher gear to meet the Paris Agreement targets, an independent study, the ‘Pathways to Accelerate Power Emissions Reduction in Asia,’ was commissioned by the Asia Natural Gas & Energy Association (ANGEA).
In it, emissions reduction pathways to 2050 for power generation in Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam–and by extension, other nations in Asia–are
discussed. An approach described as technology-agnostic was used to explore viable pathways for accelerating coal reduction.
In addition to a balanced case scenario for each country, SPGCI modelled a base case scenario reflecting a business-as-usual trajectory, as well as an accelerated approach, thanks to which full decarbonization would be achieved by 2035.
Balanced vs. accelerated transition: Weighing the costs
Based on the study, one way to cut emissions affordably would entail a balanced approach to energy transition in the power sector, with LNG-fired power supporting expanded use of renewables.
Coal would be substituted with renewables and available alternatives by country, with generation and emissions determined via least-cost hourly dispatch. SPGCI claims this would enable 50% of coal-fired power to be phased out by 2035.
This study underscores the critical role that LNG should play in reducing emissions in Asia and debunks the myth that nations must choose between rapid decarbonisation and economic growth,” ANGEA CEO Paul Everingham said.
Everingham pointed out that more than 90% of power sector emissions in Asia result from coal-fired power. Therefore, the region’s ability to phase out coal affects global decarbonization efforts.
The report highlights pathways for the three focus countries to phase out coal and reduce emissions by 33–38% by 2035. Additionally, unlike some other decarbonization efforts, this does not
come with a hefty price tag, as it would require the countries to increase their energy systems spending by around 8–16%.
In contrast, to achieve full decarbonization by 2035, the Philippines and Vietnam would need to more than double their current investment in energy systems, while Japan would have to invest nearly 75% more.
"And that’s before you take into account the average marginal electricity prices – the costs paid by communities and industries – which would more than double for the Philippines and more than triple in Japan and Vietnam," noted Everingham.
"No country can entertain that type of financial burden, but especially not emerging nations such as the Philippines and Vietnam, where continued economic growth is needed to raise living standards."
Recognizing that multiple transition pathways exist, and that cost is only one factor, the study aimed to offer indicative metrics that can inform stakeholder discussions on potential decarbonization actions.
Role of LNG imports in decarbonization
The study also looked at the contributions that LNG produced in Australia, the U.S., Qatar, and other exporting nations could make to emissions reduction efforts by trade partners in Asia.
Based on the study, the average lifecycle carbon intensity for LNG sourced from Australia, the U.S., and Qatar and used for electricity production in the three countries was 47% lower than for coal.
Additionally, for each ton of CO2 emitted when producing and shipping LNG to Asia, more than 3 tonnes of CO2 emissions are avoided on a lifecycle basis when it replaces coal in power generation.
"We think this study is an important piece of research that can contribute to discussions in the region about how decarbonisation and coal phasedown can best be pursued and progressed, by providing quantitative data points to inform trade-offs of different pathways," said SPGCI Director, Energy Transition Consulting, Allen Chan.
In conclusion, SPGCI believes efforts should be focused on addressing structural barriers to coal phase-out and decarbonizing the gas/LNG value chain, while incentivizing and scaling renewable power to achieve the decarbonization of Asia’s power sector.
By Dragana Nikše
The Hong Kong International Convention for the safe and environmentally sound recycling of ships (HKC) has officially entered into force. It marks a long-awaited turning point in how the world dismantles and recycles end-of-life vessels.
Over two decades in the making, the convention-for which full compliance is not obligatory before 2030-sets global standards for shipowners, flag states, and recycling yards, seeking to bring long-overdue accountability to an industry plagued by safety and environmental abuses.
Numerous organizations in the maritime industry have welcomed the commencement of the Hong Kong Convention, including shipping association BIMCO, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and ECSA European Shipowners.
"We believe the convention has the potential to change the face of ship recycling, support the circular economy and provide safe jobs to the people that
need them," David Loosley, Secretary General and CEO of shipping association BIMCO, remarked.
As understood, ICS and ECSA have been pushing for the HKC to be passed since its adoption over twenty years ago.
"Today marks a welcome and historical development after two decades of work on the issue. At ICS, we have long been championing safe and sustainable ship recycling practices. Now that the Hong Kong Convention has entered into force, we can look forward to even more progress in improving ship recycling around the world," Thomas A. Kazakos, Secretary General of the ICS, commented.
What is the HKC Convention?
The Hong Kong Convention was first adopted in May 2009 at a diplomatic conference in China. It was crafted with input from IMO Member States and non-governmental organizations, as well as in co-operation with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (otherwise known as the Basel Convention).
HKC represents a cradle-to-grave framework for the lifecycle of ships, from design and construction to operation and preparation of ships so as to facilitate safe and environmentally sound recycling.
It mandates that vessels ≥ 500 GT maintain an inventory of hazardous materials (IHM), a documented list of the types, quantities and location of substances onboard, such as asbestos, PCBs, ozone-depleting chemicals, heavy metals, hydrocarbons and anti-fouling agents. This inventory must be verified, kept current-when toxic materials are added or removed-and certified via an International Certificate on IHM.
The treaty also imposes strict rules on recycling infrastructure: only authorized facilities may dismantle ships. These must prepare a Ship Recycling Facility Plan (SRFP), covering worker safety, environmental controls, emergency response, waste handling, and record-keeping.
"The global requirements entering into force today already represent significant progress for the sustainability of our industry. We now need to build on this foundation and further strengthen
the Hong Kong Convention to raise the bar and continue to make meaningful progress towards safe and sustainable ship recycling practices," Sotiris Raptis, Secretary General of ECSA European Shipowners, remarked.
Ratification of the HKC, however, moved at a snail’s pace. Regions like the European Union (EU) implemented the EU Ship Recycling Regulation (EU SRR) by 2013, with the goal of minimizing negative impacts associated with ship recycling, particularly concerning human health and the environment. Meanwhile, the IMO developed detailed technical guidelines by 2012, with a further update in 2023 when the IHM protocols were ‘refined.’
To enter into force, the HKC required ratification by at least 15 States, accounting for 40% of world merchant tonnage. Despite early momentum, these thresholds were not met until June 2023, when Bangladesh and Libe-
ria deposited their instruments, unlocking a 24-month countdown.
The darker tides
As of right now, twenty-four countries in total have ratified the HKC. Four of the largest ship-recycling nations, namely, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Türkiye, are among them, having authorized a number of recycling yards under this framework. In India, for example, it is said that well over 100 ship recycling facilities have secured a Document of Authorization (DASR).
Nonetheless, although the Hong Kong Convention has attempted to install the guardrails needed for the maritime industry to sail toward net zero ‘more safely’, some critics have underscored that it stops short of addressing and, ultimately, banning some of the most hazardous recycling and dismantling methods typically done in a number of countries in South Asia: beaching.
Defined as the practice of deliberately grounding ships at tidal flats for dismantling, beaching has been a colossal issue in the shipbreaking/ship recycling sector(s), drawing considerable attention and criticism in countries such as India and Bangladesh in particular. The two nations are home to yards infamous for beaching, like Alang, where a string of tragic accidents has already claimed numerous workers’ lives.
Some of these yards have also claimed to be HKC-compliant, despite the reality being different. As the Belgium-based NGO Shipbreaking Platform organization noted, many of these sites do not have hospitals nearby in case of acci-
'HKC represents a cradle-to-grave framework for the lifecycle of ships'
dents, no capacity to dispose of hazardous materials and no track record of monitoring the health of their workers.
Compounding the matter are shipping players that go around international ship recycling rules with the aim of ‘profiting’ from vessel dismantling operations. NGO Shipbreaking Platform has revealed that these companies tend to re-flag their units to sail under the flags of St Kitts and Nevis, Comoros, Tuvalu and Mongolia, which are currently the most popular choices for stakeholders sending off their vessels to be scrapped in South Asia.
These so-called flags of convenience have been quite a weak link in the HKC chain, as they can allow the circumvention of tougher oversight and, therefore, threaten the treaty’s foundations.
Numbers back this up, with a study done by the Belgian organization showing that, in 2024 alone, as much as 80% of the world’s aging fleet was scrapped
under these conditions. A number of the units were previously re-flagged.
In light of the Hong Kong Convention’s entry into force, and particularly since, according to BIMCO, there are over 15,000 vessels that need to be recycled, the NGO Shipbreaking Platform has once again underlined the importance of tackling these issues.
"The HKC does not set a roadmap for sustainable ship recycling, but will instead serve the interests of shipping companies that want to avoid paying the true cost of safe and environmentally sound end-of-life management. Tragically, it also risks to undercut efforts to level the playing field for responsible ship recyclers to compete," Ingvild Jenssen, Executive Director & Founder of the NGO Shipbreaking Platform, remarked.
"The shipping industry cannot settle with a Convention designed to accommodate the industry’s worst practice.
Beaching should be phased out, not endorsed," she added.
That said, certain nations, which have been plagued with irregularities, have made steps to align better with the HKC and with other global environmental stipulations.
Bangladesh is one of them. In February this year, the IMO shared that draft amendments to Bangladesh’s ship recycling and hazardous waste management legislation have been developed to align the shipbreaking industry with international environmental standards and safety regulations.
The amendments were presented and reviewed during a workshop held in Dhaka. The workshop also examined how the sector could be aligned with the most important provisions of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions.
By Sara Kosmajac
Minesto, a Swedish tidal energy developer, is leading a consortium of four that has been awarded a SEK 25 million (approximately $2.6 million) grant funding from the Swedish Energy Agency to build a complete microgrid installation in the Faroe Islands.
The consortium includes Minesto, microgrid technology provider Capture Energy, Faroese utility company SEV, and IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute.
The total project budget over two years amounts to SEK 56 million, of which SEK 25 million is covered by the Swedish Energy Agency grant.
The project aims to demonstrate a tidal-based microgrid solution that delivers baseload power. According to Minesto, it builds on a partnership with Capture Energy, a technology provider specializing in microgrid
management. By integrating Minesto’s tidal power plants with Capture Energy’s systems, the project is said to seek to access the global market for autonomous and island-mode grid solutions.
SEV, an existing customer of Minesto, is said to contribute as a microgrid user and support feasibility work for future commercial installations. IVL will assess the environmental footprint of the system.
Targeting remote, non-grid-connected sites in the Faroe Islands, the project
is scheduled to begin in August and deliver a complete microgrid by 2026.
"The global multibillion-Euro microgrid business is a vital parallel track to build-out of larger Dragon Farms (multimegawatt arrays) based on the same Dragon-class systems.
This new partnership with Capture Energy makes it possible for us together to offer turn-key microgrid tidal power generation to local customers in need of renewable baseload energy," said Martin Edlund, CEO of Minesto.
The microgrid market is a key strategic focus for Minesto, with an estimated €300 billion (approximately $352 billion) in addressable value spanning small kW installations to large multimegawatt (MW) installations.
"The microgrid business has significant strategic value for Minesto. It is in itself a substantial global market and it also offers market entry projects with new commercial partners to create confidence in our unique technology and to speed up collection of local data for environmental permitting and certification," Edlund added.
Minesto said the Faroe Islands face energy challenges common to remote island communities, including dependency on imported fossil fuels,
price volatility, and supply disruptions. The region is said to have untapped tidal energy potential that the company aims to harness.
"This award from the Swedish Energy Agency adds vital financial support and recognition to Minesto’s commercial agenda," Edlund concluded.
Minesto recently also secured a SEK 22 million loan from Fenja Capital to be used as working capital for its ongoing operations and business development.
The Swedish company’s upgraded Dragon 12 tidal energy device, deployed in Vestmannasund, Faroe Islands, reached a performance milestone, delivering a 25% increase in power output following the installation of a longer tether.
Minesto slashes costs, closes Wales office in major reorganization
Minesto has finalized a reorganization process aimed at aligning the business for commercial rollout and reducing fixed costs. The changes include geographic consolidation, a trimmed management structure, and tighter product development integration. The company reports a 35% reduction in fixed costs as a result.
Minesto has shut down its Holyhead office in Wales, co-locating its Support and Operations management with the leadership team at its Gothenburg headquarters. Operations now center on the existing site in Vestmanna, Faroe Islands, where the company is working closely with local partners.
"We have concentrated the Minesto organization at the head-office in Göteborg and closed-down the office in Wales for efficiency and synergy reasons. We remain fully committed to our tidal site and build-out plan for Holyhead Deep, retaining local presence regarding site development. Our ability to get Holyhead Deep financed and built is not affected by this shift," said Martin Edlund.
According to Minesto, the management team has been reduced from eight to six members. Conventional line functions remain, with broader responsibilities assigned for commercialization and project delivery.
"We are grateful for the lasting value that David Collier – Chief Strategy Officer and Hans Lindström – Chief Supply Chain Officer contributed to Minesto. In our new smaller team, we have found a good balance in dividing and sharing responsibilities.
Notably, the cross-functional nature of commercial development in our emerging business makes it a successfactor to have customer involvement from the whole team. Further, our partnership with EY working on investment cases, financing and investor interactions has proved to be very constructive," Edlund added.
Product development and operations have been more tightly integrated, covering array installation methods and scaling up manufacturing for Dragon systems. The research and development (R&D) team has been
reduced as the company shifts from broad-based research to projectspecific customization.
"We have improved our ability to source external resources for site development and operations. Our international partners TCC Green Energy, Hydrokite, Poseidon & Sev to name a few are involved hands on in site development work targeting sites for Minesto Dragon build out," noted Edlund.
"Also, closer relationships with suppliers on product development
and manufacturing have expanded our resource-base whilst not increasing our headcount, for example with SKF on drive trains and steering modules, Future Fibres (a part of North Technology Group) on the unique anchoring tether and Elitkomposit on planning for scale-up of the critical wing manufacturing."
Following the reorganization, Minesto now operates with 36 employees. The company says it retains the flexibility to scale up as needed.
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A staged ban on scrubber discharges in coastal waters in the North-East Atlantic area (OSPAR region) has been approved. Believed to be “the first” regional regulation on scrubber discharges, the ban sets a precedent for other areas to follow.
The ban will apply to discharges from open-loop scrubbers by July 2027, and to closed-loop scrubbers by January 2029 in OSPAR’s ports and internal waters.
Ministers and senior representatives from the 16 Contracting Parties to the OSPAR Convention gathered in
Vigo on July 27, 2025, for a landmark OSPAR Ministerial Meeting. In the aftermath of the United Nations Oceans Conference in Nice, OSPAR adopted a series of collective actions.
The OSPAR Commission is the regional marine protection convention for the Northeast Atlantic. Its members
include fifteen states and the EU – including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Norway, Spain, and the Scandinavian countries.
The OSPAR maritime area encompasses, among other areas, the North Sea, the English Channel, the Irish Sea, and large parts of the North Atlantic.
Hosted by the Spanish government, the meeting marked a ‘critical’ midpoint in the implementation of the North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy (NEAES) 2030, OSPAR’s roadmap for ocean health in the region.
At the heart of the meeting was the adoption of the Vigo Ministerial Declaration, an ambitious and shared political commitment to accelerate progress in response to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Contracting Parties reaffirmed that the OSPAR Commission not only has the mandate-but also the
responsibility-to lead globally in the protection of the marine environment.
"The decisions taken today in Vigo reflect our shared commitment to protect our ocean through cooperation, ambition, and accountability. With these new measures, OSPAR continues to lead the way in regional marine protection," Dominic Pattinson, OSPAR Commission Executive Secretary, commented.
Reducing pollution from shipping
The meeting participants expressed concerns about hazardous discharges
from all types of exhaust gas cleaning systems (EGCS) on ships, particularly in coastal zones.
As a result, OSPAR agreed a staged ban on the release of discharge water from ships’ exhaust gas scrubbers in coastal waters. A roadmap to examine strengthening this by 2027 was also agreed.
To note, the wastewater released by scrubbers is said to contain a toxic mix of heavy metals, acidic compounds, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems and the health of coastal communities.
In the 2000s, scrubbers became widely adopted to curb sulphur emissions from ships. These systems were introduced and governed under the Protocol to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), serving as a compliance tool within Emission Control Areas (ECAs). Despite their intended environmental purpose, scrubbers allow ships to keep burning heavy fuel oil and can lead to higher emissions of carbon dioxide, black carbon, and particulate matter than if marine gas oil were used. Studies have shown that scrubbers discharge hazardous wastewater containing heavy metals, acidic substances, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) straight into the sea, endangering marine life and potentially affecting the health of coastal populations.
By 2023, 45 jurisdictions, including various countries and port authorities, had implemented bans or restrictions on scrubber discharges. Long-term protection of marine environments and achievement of climate goals require investment in genuinely clean technologies, such as wind propulsion, green e-fuels, and renewable energy solutions, tools that are already available and capable of delivering significant reductions in pollution and emissions.
OSPAR’s decision to ban scrubbers has been welcomed by numerous environmental organizations such as for instance Seas at Risk. The Brussels-based marine organization welcomed the decision to ban the discharge of scrubber wash waters in internal waters and
port areas throughout the North-East Atlantic area by July 2027.
"This is a landmark moment for marine protection, showing that regional cooperation can drive real environmental progress in the maritime sector. Toxic waste water from scrubbers has no place in the ocean. This ban will not only be a boost for marine life, but also for coastal communities that rely on a healthy sea for their livelihoods," Sian Prior, Shipping Director, Seas At Risk, highlighted.
While a majority of OSPAR states wanted to ban scrubber discharges throughout the full extent of territorial seas, such extension lacked full consensus and was therefore included
only as a recommendation, with a review scheduled for a decision by 2027.
"Turning air pollution into ocean pollution is not an acceptable trade-off. It is vital that all OSPAR Members support the proposal to extend the ban to territorial waters, especially as cleaner, widely available alternatives exist. Such a ban will improve water quality and protect marine life in the coastal areas of the entire North-East Atlantic," Maarten Verdaasdonk, Project Manager, North Sea Foundation, said.
Prior to the meeting, Seas at Risk coordinated an open letter signed by 21 NGOs that was released ahead of the Ministerial Meeting, to urge OSPAR to ban toxic wastewater from scrubbers in their area.
One of the signatories of the open letter was German association NABU. NABU welcomed the latest OSPAR’s move but emphasized that ‘comprehensive’ protection of the oceans can only be achieved with a ban in all waters. It called on the OSPAR states to extend the discharge ban to all coastal waters of the OSPAR maritime area by 2029.
"Scrubber wastewater is not an unavoidable byproduct of shipping, but a direct consequence of the use of toxic heavy fuel oil. The pollutant emissions are washed into the sea by the exhaust stream. This is not a solution, but avoidable environmental pollution," Raija Koch, NABU’s Shipping Policy Officer, stressed.
Finland, Denmark, and Sweden have already issued national bans on scrubber wastewater.
"This is commendable, but without a common solution, a regulatory patch-
work threatens. Uniform regulations create clarity for shipping companies and ensure the protection of the particularly sensitive coastal areas along the entire Northeast Atlantic," Koch added.
Other key outcomes of the meeting
At the meeting, ministers also agreed to extend the OSPAR maritime area by over 2.5 million square kilometers to include Macaronesian waters, encompassing the Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. This historic decision brings these biodiversity-rich areas under OSPAR protection, recognizing the critical importance of regional cooperation.
The meeting also resulted in new bans on plastic pollution from pontoons/ buoys and best practices to reduce marine litter as well as new action plans on underwater noise and benthic habitats.
What is more, the countries agreed to increase Arctic protections and engagement with indigenous peoples.
In addition, OSPAR reaffirmed its 1998 Sintra Statement commitment to not treat the sea as a dumping ground and committed to reduce derogations from the requirement to remove disused offshore installations.
Two new OSPAR indicators were adopted on environmental concentrations of artificial radioactive substances, and on radioactive discharges from the nuclear sector.
Finally, the future-proofing of the OSPAR Convention has been launched. Ministers initiated a process to examine how the convention can evolve to respond to new and emerging pressures, including offshore renewables, space launch debris, carbon dioxide capture and storage, hydrogen production linked to offshore oil and gas, and a clarification of provisions on land-based sources of pollution.
By Naida Hakirevic Prevljak
France’s energy giant TotalEnergies has pinpointed the acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI) as a roadmap paving the way toward the realization of its multi-energy strategy, primarily in low-carbon energies, which are expected to be among the key beneficiaries of its partnership with a compatriot generative AI player, Mistral AI, that will enable the duo to set up an innovative lab focused on artificial intelligence.
TotalEnergies and Mistral AI will focus on enhancing the application of AI to improve the French energy giant’s performance, bringing its multi-energy strategy to life by establishing a joint innovation lab, staffed by teams from both companies. While Mistral AI will contribute its AI technologies, TotalEnergies will bring its expertise in the energy production business, particularly renewables and low-carbon energy, to test and design advanced digital solutions.
The first use cases will allow the firm to design an assistant for its 1,000 researchers to support them in their mission to develop new energies and reduce the company’s environmental footprint.
In addition, decision-support solutions will be developed to enhance the performance of its industrial assets and lower its CO2 emissions, while support solutions get implemented to improve the customer experience and help them save energy.
Arthur Mensch, Chief Executive Officer at Mistral AI, remarked: “This partnership illustrates the positive impact generative AI can have on a sector as strategic as that of TotalEnergies.
By dedicating our AI solutions and experts to the R&D effort, the operational teams and, ultimately, the company’s customers, we are contributing to improved operations and the digital transition of this global energy giant.”
Testing digital tools for renewables on lab’s menu
The new lab will also test digital solutions for other use cases, especially renewable energy production. Given the issue of digital sovereignty in Europe, the duo will jointly examine opportunities for TotalEnergies to adopt AI infrastructure. AI is a major pillar of the French energy player’s technological ambition; thus, the deal with Mistral AI reflects the firm’s decision to leverage digital technology and artificial intelligence to improve performance at its industrial facilities and support its transition.
Previously, the company used artificial intelligence mostly in earth science
and as a way to improve predictive maintenance or detect any issues with the machinery at its facilities.
However, AI has now been given a vital role in helping the French heavyweight develop new opportunities, especially in the production of renewables, reduction of CO2 emissions, and the development of innovative services that allow its customers to control and optimize their energy use.
Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, commented: “We are delighted to work with Mistral AI, a leading French player in artificial intelligence. This deal reflects our intention to contribute to the emergence of a tech-
nological ecosystem in Europe, and will allow us to explore new opportunities to further embed AI into our activities.
“AI has huge potential to transform energy systems, and this partnership was motivated by our pioneering spirit and ongoing search for innovation.”
Meanwhile, TotalEnergies is actively pursuing more oil and gas opportunities and optimizing its existing upstream portfolio, as illustrated by a deal to exchange its non-operated interest in a deepwater development project in Brazil for Shell’s partial stake in its producing field.
By Melisa Cavcic
Gulliver at work at the Thor Offshore Wind Farm, located in the Danish North Sea off the west coast of Jutland. Scaldis SMC was responsible for the transportation and installation of the OSS of Denmark’s largest offshore wind project to date, which will have the capacity to generate enough green electricity to power over one million households.
Although China, the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) remain frontrunners in clean industry development, a bloc of emerging markets spanning Africa, Asia and South America is quickly catching up, showing the potential to overthrow the ‘longstanding dominance’ of these leading economies.
According to the newly released 'Clean Industry: Transformational Trends' report by Mission Possible Partnership (MPP), a decarbonization-oriented coalition launched in 2021, nations from the fast-expanding 'new industrial sunbelt' , such as Brazil, Morocco, Indonesia, Egypt and India, now account for 59% of the global $1.6 trillion pipeline of announced but not yet financed projects.
In comparison, the US represents 18%, the EU 10% and China just 6%, the report revealed, with related projects comprising ‘key’ clean sectors
such as aluminium, chemicals, cement, aviation, and steel.
It is worth noting that China has been a leading nation in the maritime industry, especially in shipbuilding, where it has consistently been number one, followed by ‘neighbouring’ South Korea and Japan. The US has been falling behind the ‘big three’.
The report, supported by the Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA), has noted here that governments of almost 70 countries could also ensure early mover advantage, similarly to
the EU and others, by crafting policies that would support the construction of announced initiatives.
Adequate policy support has been spotlighted as a core element of the decarbonization momentum, with studies suggesting emissions in the maritime transportation industry, for example, could be cut by over 95% by 2050 owing to regulatory frameworks.
As disclosed, the industrial shift points to a possible global realignment as the production of materi-
als, chemicals and fuels increasingly moves to countries offering abundant renewable energy, favorable policies and cost advantages. The sunbelt has made significant headway here by harnessing natural resources, particularly solar energy, to power new clean manufacturing.
"Just like the industries of yesterday located near the coal mines which powered them, the new generation of energy-intensive industrial plants will go to where they can access abundant, reliable, cheap, clean electricity to produce materials, chemicals and fuels. The industrial heartlands of the past will have to be smart and cooperate if they want to retain their leading positions," CEO of MPP and Executive Director of the ITA, Faustine Delasalle, commented.
Moreover, while China clinched a quarter of the $250 billion of investment in clean plants to date, closely followed by the US at 22% and the EU at 14%, sunbelt nations such as Indonesia and Morocco, per data from MPP’s analysis, secured a fifth of investment thus far.
However, a staggering $948 billion opportunity is said to exist for their announced projects, especially as economies dominated by agriculture increasingly see lower-cost clean ammonia for fertilizer as both an economic advantage and a chance to increase food security.
Ammonia as an energy source has also been identified as a path toward climate neutrality in these emerging markets.
In total, MPP’s Global Project Tracker (launched in April last year) records 826 commercial-scale clean industrial plants across 69 countries. Of these, 69 are operational, 65 have reportedly secured financing, and eight have reached final investment decision (FID) within the past six months. As elaborated, the remaining 692 projects have been revealed but are awaiting financing.
"Perhaps surprisingly, developing economies have an enormous opportunity to leapfrog fossil fuels in heavy industry and transport, creating the infrastructure for sustainable economic growth in the 21st century. We now need to unlock the full potential of the clean industrial revolution and exponentially accelerate the existing pipeline," Christiana Figueres,
Co-Founder of Global Optimism, remarked.
Despite growing competition, MPP unveiled that $450 billion in clean industrial investment has been announced in the US and EU, with policymakers in these regions now facing pressure to better the investment conditions or 'risk losing ground.'
Per the report, investment in these regions tends to thrive where stable regulations, public funding, demand-boosting measures, and lower capital expenditure (capex) costs align.
Meanwhile, Europe unpacked its Clean Industrial Deal in February 2025, a long-awaited business plan outlining concrete actions to turn decarbonization into ‘a driver of growth‘ for European industries by supporting renewable energy sources and transitioning away from fossil fuels. The plan is to provide at least €100 billion to support EU-made clean manufacturing.
According to MPP, the fastest-growing clean industry sectors are green ammonia-with 28 plants at FID and 344 announced-and sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which count 22 operational plants, seven at FID, and 144 announced.
As explained, green ammonia presents a strong business case, particularly in agriculture, as a low-cost drop-in solution for fertiliser production, while sustainable aviation fuels benefit from strong regulatory support and continued demand for air travel.
In addition to this, in the maritime industry, using ammonia as fuel is seen as one of the most ‘viable’ paths toward net zero, with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2050 Net Zero Framework (NZF) appearing to tilt in favor of this environmentally friendly fuel and ships powered by it.
As per MPP’s analysis, the new industrial sunbelt nations host over three-quarters of all commercial-scale green ammonia production facilities planned globally (at both FID and announced). What is more, declining electricity and electrolyser costs in these markets mean that the production of this sustainable fuel could undercut fossil-fuel-based grey ammonia by 2035, with production costs potentially halving compared to Western Europe or the US.
Concerning the total pipeline, worldwide green ammonia production capacity from first-mover sunbelt countries is anticipated to play a ‘huge’ part in global supply chains.
MPP has added that for many lowand middle-income economies, this transition is said to offer the chance to leapfrog conventional carbon-intensive development, access export markets, create jobs, enhance food and energy security, and secure longterm competitive advantage in future clean commodity markets.
Discrepancies between commitments and FID
Despite the potential as shown, the pace of translating commitments into financed projects appears to remain sluggish.
At the current rate, MPP’s report put forward that it would take approximately 40 years for all announced projects to reach construction.
Additionally, unlocking the full potential of the pipeline is estimated to require a fivefold increase in investment and decisive action by governments, financiers, and corporate buyers.
Because of this, the MPP and ITA have proposed some policy actions that could accelerate project financing, including fuel standard programs, carbon pricing, and state-backed intermediaries.
By Sara Kosmajac
The National Wealth Fund (NWF), the UK’s sovereign wealth fund is making a multimillion equity investment in the development of a CCS project that will store carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the East Irish Sea.
The £28.6 million investment is described by NWF as the cornerstone of a £59.6 million equity raise, which also includes investment through a joint venture between Summit Energy Evolution, part of Sumitomo Corporation, and Progressive Energy Peak, as well as the cement and lime producers in the Peak Cluster: Tarmac, Breedon, Holcim, and SigmaRoc.
John Egan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Peak Cluster, stated: "Peak Cluster is focused on securing a sustainable future for the cement and lime industry. Together with MNZ, the UK’s biggest carbon store, we will capture, transport and store CO2 to support industry to thrive in a low carbon future."
Spirit Energy is currently converting its Morecambe gas fields in the East Irish Sea to create what has the potential to become the UK’s biggest carbon dioxide (CO2) store. The Peak Cluster pipeline will then transport CO2 emissions captured on its industrial plants across Derbyshire and Staffordshire to be stored by Morecambe Net Zero (MNZ).
While being foundation materials for many UK industries, cement and lime are said to be two of the hardest industrial sectors to decarbonize due to the high levels of CO2 emissions generated in the manufacturing process, which cannot be abated through transitioning to low carbon fuels.
The MNZ project aims to provide a permanent decarbonization solution for this hard-to-abate sector by converting the depleted South and North Morecambe gas fields to provide permanent carbon storage. The two fields form part of the Morecambe Hub, 100%-owned and operated by Spirit Energy.
"The NWF’s investment sends a crucially important and thoroughly positive message to those eyeing the UK for investment in the low carbon developments needed to power our economy and help deliver the government’s economic growth and decarbonisation," commented Neil McCulloch, CEO of Spirit Energy.
NWF said its financing will be used to further develop the Peak Cluster pipeline project through to a final investment decision (FID) as early as 2028, including the completion of front-end engineering and design (FEED) and other studies that underpin the planning consent process.
The UK’s Energy Secretary, Ed Miliband, said: "This landmark investment will catalyse our carbon capture sector to deliver thousands of highly skilled jobs and growth across our industrial heartlands, as part of our Plan for Change. Workers in the North Sea and Britain’s manufacturing heartlands will drive forward the country’s industrial renewal, positioning them at the forefront of the UK’s clean energy transition."
Once repurposed, the gas fields will be able to accept up to 1 gigaton of CO2 in the project’s lifetime. This is said to be
the equivalent of three years’ worth of UK emissions.
The NWF believes its investment will remove some of the barriers faced by private investors to further develop and build the project in the future. As CCS is one of the five priority sectors announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the fund wants to help amplify government policy, and de-risk and accelerate the financing and delivery of these vital projects.
Centrica Group Chief Executive and Chair of Spirit Energy, Chris O’Shea, noted: "This landmark first investment in carbon capture by the National Wealth Fund is an important and exciting step forward for the UK’s net zero ambitions, and our plans for Morecambe specifically. By transforming the Morecambe gas fields into the UK’s largest carbon store,
Spirit Energy will provide the critical infrastructure needed to decarbonise hardto-abate industries like cement and lime."
The Morecambe Hub comprises three fields in the East Irish Sea – North Morecambe, South Morecambe, and Rhyl, covering blocks 110/2a, 110/3a, 110/8a, and 113/27b, in water depths ranging from 17 to 35 meters. Gas from all the fields is processed at Barrow Gas Terminals, located near Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, before entry into the National Transmission System.
Described as one of the largest gas fields in the UKCS, the Morecambe Hub met 20% of the UK’s domestic gas demand at its peak. Spirit Energy aims for the field to remain in production until the end of the decade.
South Morecambe was discovered in 1974 and was the first to be developed, with production starting in 1985. The field has been developed using seven fixed jacket platforms, including the three-platform manned central processing complex (CPC), four normally unmanned installations (NUIs), and 36 development wells.
North Morecambe was discovered in 1976, with first gas in 1994. The development includes the normally unmanned Drilling and Processing Platform Alpha (DPPA) platform, which acts as the main gathering hub for the area, and ten development wells.
Situated north of the North Morecambe field, Rhyl was discovered in 2009 and started producing in March 2013. It has been developed as a two-well subsea tieback to DPPA.
By Dragana Nikše
Swedish wave energy developer CorPower Ocean has secured a €40 million grant from the EU Innovation Fund to support the development of VianaWave, a 10 MW pre-commercial wave energy project planned off northern Portugal.
The VianaWave project will comprise 30 wave energy converters (WECs), grouped in a CorPack array, expected to generate around 30 GWh of electricity annually, which is said to be enough to power 7,500 homes.
According to CorPower Ocean, the project aims to contribute to Portu-
gal’s National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) target of 200 MW of installed wave capacity by 2030.
Operations are set to begin in 2028 or 2029, building on CorPower’s HiWave-5 project, which marked the company’s transition from pilot testing to commercial deployment.
The project includes onshore infrastructure investments, such as the expansion of grid facilities in Aguçadoura and Póvoa de Varzim, and the establishment of CorPower’s operations base at the Port of Viana do Castelo.
According to CorPower, around 75% of the project’s lifetime expenditure will
occur in Portugal, supporting the local supply chain and generating jobs in engineering, construction, and operations.
"This is a pivotal milestone for CorPower Ocean and the wave energy sector as a whole. VianaWave shows that wave energy is ready to scale. With strong support from the Innovation Fund and the Portuguese ecosystem, we are accelerating the transition to a sustainable, resilient energy system while delivering local economic value," said Kevin Rebenius, Commercial Director at CorPower Ocean.
The initiative also aligns with findings from the EU-funded EVOLVE study, which estimates Portugal’s wave energy potential at 15 GW. The project is expected to strengthen local supply chains, attract additional investment, and support Portugal’s position as a clean tech hub.
CorPower Ocean’s WECs incorporate a tuning and detuning mechanism that adjusts to ocean conditions, limiting response in storms while amplifying power capture in regular waves.
The HiWave-5 project aims to commercialize wave energy by 2030, according to CorPower Ocean. It is a research and technological development project focused on deploying a full-scale WEC system off the coast of Aguçadoura.
Wave energy picks up pace as CorPower Ocean lands two new investors CorPower Ocean has secured new strategic backing from Acario, the venture arm of Tokyo Gas, and GTT Strategic Ventures, part of French LNG tech group GTT, as part of its Series B funding round.
The investment builds on CorPower’s earlier €32 million Series B1 raise, supporting efforts to scale wave energy as a bankable clean electricity source.
"We are delighted to welcome GTT and Tokyo Gas via Acario as shareholders. They bring significant engineering and industrial scale-up expertise, and we are looking forward to having their support in making wave energy a mainstream energy source," said CorPower Ocean CEO Patrik Möller.
“The potential of co-locating CorPack wave arrays with offshore wind and solar installations around the world to enable 24/7 clean power is a major opportunity that we are excited to develop together with strong partners.”
Both Tokyo Gas and GTT are said to bring technical and industrial alignment to CorPower’s commercialization push. Tokyo Gas is one of Japan’s largest utilities, supplying energy to around 13 million customers, and has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050.
GTT is a global leader in cryogenic containment systems for liquefied gases and is expanding its role in the energy transition through its venture arm.
They join existing investors, including NordicNinja VC, SEB Greentech, InnoEnergy, Cisco Investments, Santander Asset Management, and Iberis Capital.
"We are proud to support CorPower Ocean in its mission to unlock the vast potential of wave energy," added Hélène Loncin, Head of GTT Strategic Ventures.
"As a clean, ocean-based power source, wave energy can play a critical role in addressing key challenges of the energy transition – from ensuring the availability of green electricity to enabling local production and supporting grid balancing. This investment reflects GTT’s commitment to fostering pioneering technologies that contribute to a sustainable energy future."
Wave energy is gaining attention as a firm clean power source. The UK recently launched a new Marine Energy Taskforce, led by Energy Minister Michael Shanks, backed by the Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland. The initiative aims to unlock 25 GW of wave and 11 GW of tidal capacity through targeted actions in site development, finance, innovation, and supply chains.
CorPower says wave energy’s consistent profile helps stabilise wind and solar output, enabling 24/7 renewables with lower storage and grid requirements. Compared to solar and wind-only systems, wave-inclusive mixes may cut total installed capacity and storage needs by up to 50%.
"We are excited to join CorPower Ocean and support the goal of realizing wave energy as a stable utility scale renewable resource globally," said Kenji Maeda, CEO of Acario.
"The ocean demonstrates incredible potential to meet the world’s rapidly growing need for clean energy and energy security. CorPower Ocean is in a unique position to fulfil this opportunity by delivering high-capacity factor clean power at an affordable cost – with high reliability. Our participation demonstrates Acario’s dedication to supporting remarkable innovators that are building the future of energy systems."
At scale, wave energy is also expected to undercut nuclear in cost and deployment timelines. Global wave energy potential exceeds 500 GW, comparable to total installed nuclear or hydropower capacity, according to the Swedish wave energy developer.
As fossil fuels still meet over 80% of global energy demand, CorPower positions wave energy as an important part of delivering firm, clean electricity for grids, data centres, and heavy industry. In May, CorPower Ocean signed a berth agreement to develop a 5 MW wave energy array at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland.
By Zerina Maksumic
Brazil’s SENAI Institute of Innovation in Renewable Energy (ISI-ER) and SENAI’s Rio Grande do Norte branch, SENAI-RN, expect to receive an installation permit for their pilot project-the country’s first offshore wind project to be granted a preliminary license-by mid- to late 2026 and to have it operational within three years.
Following the award of the preliminary license by the Institute for the Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA) on June 24, SENAI ISI-ER and SENAI-RN told offshoreWIND.biz in May this year that work had commenced on detailed design and gathering Joint Industry Project (JIP) partners, and that these activities will run in parallel with the work on obtaining the installation license.
This August, a public call was launched to invite investors and partners who want to join the 24.5 MW, two-turbine pilot project.
SENAI-RN has begun the fundraising phase and the setup of the JIP for the first stage of the project, which includes the development of the basic and exec-
utive engineering design, along with a detailed timeline and budget.
"This phase should take up to 18 months, during which we also expect to secure the installation license, as we will submit the plan with the conditions required under the preliminary license. So, these steps will progress in parallel", Rodrigo Mello, Director of SENAI-RN and SENAI ISI-ER, said in May.
The construction, assembly, and commissioning of the pilot offshore wind farm will be carried out in the second phase of the project, which will take another 18 months.
While it usually takes less time in a commercial setting, the pilot project will involve developing and analyzing solutions throughout each stage of the
process to provide data to the industry as part of its research and development (R&D) activities, according to SENAI ISI-ER.
"From the moment we contract the first phase - which is expected to happen in the second half of 2025 - we aim to have the pilot plant commissioned within up to 36 months. But that can, and ideally should, happen in less time", Rodrigo Mello told offshoreWIND.biz.
SENAI ISI-ER plans to bring in multiple partners, so instead of a single partner making a large investment, each one contributes a smaller investment and assumes less risk in the project.
"In the Brazilian market, there are specific regulations for the energy sector and for the oil and gas sector. And I mention
oil and gas because these companies are involved in the energy transition and are investing in it", Mello said.
"The public call aims to attract funding from both the oil and gas and electric energy sectors, especially through the legal framework in Brazil designed to support R&D investments."
Investment and solutions
Rodrigo Mello said that the offshore wind pilot was a project of national scope and interest to the country, and with the public call to the wider energy sector, SENAI is opening it up to the market for multiple players to join in the investment.
The JIP public call is also an invitation to companies to help build the solutions for the 24.5 MW pilot offshore wind project.
The public notice calls for companies to take part in a research, development and innovation project for the offshore wind sector under Brazil’s maritime conditions, specifically in the Equatorial Margin.
"The project focuses on a development program for solutions that should also result in the development of the supplier chain. The main goal is to develop a foundation and tower solution for the shallow-water conditions of Brazil’s equatorial coast", Rodrigo Mello said.
SENAI ISI-ER and its future JIP partners will develop a few different engineering paths for the foundation and the tower. After that, the turbines and the entire system, including the foundation, with a tower on top and a wind turbine installed and operating, will be analyzed so that the pilot can inform future commercial offshore wind projects.
"It’s a development project, but as a result, we will have a foundation and tower built and operating under real-world conditions", SENAI ISI-ER’s Rodrigo Mello said.
When asked if the project would use Mingyang Smart Energy’s wind turbines, given that SENAI ISI-ER and Mingyang signed a cooperation agreement in October last year and that one of the project’s two turbines is planned to have a 16 MW capacity, Mello said that the final decision about the wind turbines to be used in the pilot project is yet to be made and that it will be made known publicly through the upcoming public call.
"For this project, we are finalizing the details of the public call, and we have signed Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) with some partners, including Mingyang. The specifics-whether it will be a Mingyang machine, the model, etc.will be announced in the public call once it is finalized. What we can say at this moment is that Mingyang is a partner of SENAI in Rio Grande do Norte and is discussing the project conditions with us", Mello said.
‘Historic milestone’
Roberto Serquiz, President of the Federation of Industries of Rio Grande do Norte (FIERN) and the Regional Council of SENAI-RN, pointed out that the project will play a key role in adapting offshore technologies to Brazil’s conditions.
"Now we need to accelerate, because we will have one and a half years to design the entire concept, meet the conditions, complete the projects, and then move forward with the implementation of this pilot plant, which will mark the beginning of real offshore wind energy generation for Brazil. This is a very important vanguard", Roberto Serquiz pointed out.
On top of the engineering and technological contribution to the country’s emerging offshore wind sector and environmental sustainability, the pilot offshore wind farm will also have concrete impacts on the economy, foster local industry, attract investments, develop a new supply chain, and expand the qualification of the workforce in Rio Grande do Norte, according to Serquiz.
Roberto Serquiz also emphasized that this was the first license granted for an offshore wind energy project in both Brazil and Latin America, and that this has been a goal pursued by the sector.
"This is a historic milestone for the country and especially for Rio Grande do Norte. This achievement, led by the FIERN System through SENAI-RN and the SENAI Institute of Innovation in Renewable Energy, positions our state at the forefront of the energy transition, with national and international prominence", Serquiz said.
By Adrijana Buljan
In the wake of a Supreme Court ruling, marking the first inclusion in Britain’s history of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the combustion of oil and gas in environmental impact assessments (EIAs) for hydrocarbon extraction projects, the United Kingdom (UK) set out to create a new environmental guidance, which has now been revealed. This enables offshore developers to submit their applications for consent to develop already-licensed oil and gas fields in the North Sea.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Finch case last year, concerning the inclusion of Scope 3 emissions in development project environmental impact assessments, the UK government embarked on a consultation on new environmental guidance for oil and gas firms, which was scheduled to be concluded by Spring 2025.
The government explains that it acted decisively to respond to the independent Supreme Court, which ruled before this government took office that the global environmental effects of burning oil and gas are an inevitable consequence of extraction projects. As a result, North Sea operators for the first time are required to consider the impact of burning the extracted oil and gas in environmental impact assessments.
Britain’s new guidance, published on June 19, regarding the assessment of the effects of downstream Scope 3 emissions on climate, which is said to be supplementary to existing guidance on environmental impact assessments for oil and gas extraction projects, is intended to assist developers in understanding the EIA process.
The UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is adamant that this guidance is not intended to provide a definitive statement of the law or to constitute legal advice. With this in mind, developers remain responsible for ensuring their environmental statements are prepared by competent experts and should seek technical and legal advice as necessary.
The new guidance, which Britain claims will ensure the full effects of fossil fuel extraction on the environment are recognized in consenting decisions, sets out how environmental impacts of oil and gas should be assessed, providing a way forward for the industry, enabling offshore oil and gas developers to benefit from greater clarity and stability.
Moreover, offshore developers will now be able to hand in their applications for consent to extract oil and gas in already-licensed fields, a process which has been on pause since the Finch Supreme Court judgment. When deciding on an application, the Energy Secretary will consider the significance of a project’s environmental impact, taking into account and balancing relevant factors on a case-by-case basis, such as the po-
tential economic impact and other implications.
UK puts decision time on the agenda for Autumn
According to the government, there is no change to the legislation, as the process remains the same, with environmental statements being subject to public notice requirements for 30 days. This means the government does not anticipate taking any decisions until Autumn at the earliest, on applications received following the new guidance.
Michael Shanks, UK’s Energy Minister, highlighted: "This new guidance offers clarity on the way forward for the North Sea oil and gas industry, following last year’s Supreme Court ruling. It marks a step forward in ensuring the full implications of oil and gas extraction are considered for potential projects and that we ensure a managed, prosperous, and orderly transition to the North Sea’s clean energy future, in line with the science.
"We are working with industry, trade unions, local communities and environmental groups to ensure the North Sea and its workers are at the heart of Britain’s clean energy future for decades to come – supporting well-paid, skilled jobs, driving growth and boosting our energy security."
UK taking steps toward clean energy dreams
This publication concerning Britain’s oil and gas sector comes at a time when the government continues its work with the industry to build a clean energy future for the North Sea, as illustrated in its Spending Review, which confirmed £9.4 billion ($12.8 billion) for carbon capture and storage projects – marking a major step forward in the mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower.
Taking into account the government’s plan to put the North Sea at the heart of Britain’s clean energy future, the new guidance is aimed at applications for projects in North Sea oil and gas fields that are already licensed and follows the government’s decision to provide around £200 million (more than $268.5 million) to progress the Acorn project in Aberdeenshire, subject to business case, as part of the the Spending Review.
Later this year, the government is expected to respond to its consultation on how to support a clean energy transition for the North Sea and its workers. It will also provide insights into the commitment not to issue new licenses for oil and gas exploration, as it claims that support to help oil and gas workers maximize the opportunities of the clean energy transition is already underway.
Abeerdeen among four pillars of green energy growth
After the government confirmed Aberdeen as one of four key growth regions for clean energy – alongside Cheshire,
Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire – and launched pilots to help workers in these areas access jobs in new clean energy industries, oil and gas workers are expected to also get help to move into these sectors, thanks to a new energy ‘skills passport.’
Led by Offshore Energies UK and RenewableUK, and backed by UK and Scottish governments, this tool is being presented as a way to support workers into careers in offshore wind initially, before being expanded to other renewable energy roles later this year.
The Finch ruling has already left its mark on the British offshore oil and gas scene, as illustrated by a judicial review, launched by climate campaigners, which prompted the Court of Session in Edinburgh to rule in January 2025 that the previous government’s decision to approve Equinor’s Rosebank and Shell’s Jackdaw oil fields was unlawful; thus, the decision was overturned.
Therefore, the court accepted Uplift’s argument that the government failed to consider the emissions that would be caused by burning the oil and gas produced by these fields when it approved them.
These climate activists underline that the burning of almost 500 million barrels of oil and gas, which Rosebank contains, will produce more CO2 than the annual emissions of the world’s 28 lowest-income countries combined.
The fiscal and regulatory policy concerns surrounding the UK oil and gas ecosystem also have the potential to postpone the first oil from the Buchan project, expected in late 2027, after being delayed for a year from the original timeline, which anticipated its start-up in late 2026.
By Melisa Cavcic
Four players – MISC, Petronas, Aker Solutions (AKSO), and Clean Energy Systems (CES) –have laid the groundwork for a demo front-end engineering and design (FEED) process to pave the way for the development of the Zero Emission Power Station (ZEUS) project for both onshore and offshore deployment, envisioned to transform stranded gas reserves into zero-emission power generation.
The four companies formalized the ZEUS demo FEED agreement on June 17, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur to demonstrate the project’s ability to generate dispatchable, zero-emission power using high-CO2 natural gas streams.
Zahid Osman, President & Group CEO of MISC, commented: “The ZEUS project demonstrates how we are putting
our '#deliveringProgress' mission into action, harnessing innovation to deliver more energy with less emissions.
By integrating cutting-edge carbon capture technology with adaptable maritime solutions, we are not just advancing sustainable power generation but also unlocking new possibilities for stranded gas resources.
"The signing marks a progressive step forward for the team and exemplifies how partnerships can turn bold ideas into impactful solutions. MISC is proud to collaborate and leverage our maritime expertise to advance this technology for offshore deployment, supporting both Malaysia’s and the world’s transition to a lower-carbon future."
Upon validation, the project, which is seen as a breakthrough in zero-emission power generation that leverages high-pressure oxyfuel-based thermal technology with integrated CO2 capture, may be scaled up for both onshore and offshore deployment, including floating power applications.
Izwan Ismail, Vice President of Group Technology & Commercialisation, underlined: "ZEUS represents more than a technology demonstration - it is a bold statement of Petronas’ unwavering commitment to a low-emission, sus-
tainable future. Beyond its technical capabilities, ZEUS fosters innovation ecosystems and expedites the delivery of sustainable solutions, awakening possibilities for our upstream business."
The testing segment will be done in Malaysia to validate the system’s feasibility, with the FEED phase setting the stage for a final investment decision (FID) on the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) part in 2026.
Mark McGough, CEO of Clean Energy Systems, emphasized: "The ZEUS pro-
ject is another validation of the unique enabling capabilities of CES’ rocket-engine based technology, which can be fueled by a wide range of gases. Our proprietary platelet burner technology has been developed and extensively tested for the past two decades, and now CES is excited to bring these new oxy-combustion products to benefit the oil & gas market."
The partners share a clear ambition to deliver sustainable and affordable zero-emission power solutions that support the global energy transition. The ZEUS demo FEED is designed to replicate the thermodynamic conditions of a full-scale commercial plant, minimizing redesign efforts for future scale-up.
Jo Kjetil Krabbe, Executive Vice President of Power Solutions at Aker Solutions, emphasized: “We look forward to turning proven components into an integrated system that works at scale, and with zero emissions.
"Aker Solutions’ role is to ensure that the design is technically robust, that interfaces are well managed, and that the system can be built and operated reliably. Together with Petronas Research and MISC Berhad, we’re taking an important step toward making ZEUS ready for deployment in demanding operational environments."
By Melisa Cavcic
Amid increasing national security concerns across Europe and the US, an offshore energy event organizer in the Netherlands has introduced cybersecurity and seabed security into its exhibition and conference program this year.
Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference (OEEC), coming up on November 25 and 26, 2025, will feature two new pavilions on the exhibition floor, one dedicated to AI and cybersecurity and one where solutions for seabed security will be showcased. The OEEC 2025 conference program will also see these and related topics discussed by expert speakers and panelists.
Seabed security
The growing focus on security matters in the offshore energy industry comes with rising worries over subsea surveillance and risk of sabotaging offshore energy
infrastructure. Increased security concerns started in the Baltic Sea a few years ago, after four gas leaks were found on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines in September 2022. Investigations by Germany, Sweden and Denmark concluded the leaks were a result of “deliberate sabotage”.
In 2023, Dutch intelligence agencies warned the government about activities being covertly conducted by Russia, saying that there was information on Russia mapping the country’s North Sea infrastructure, including gas pipelines, offshore wind farms, and internet cables.
At the end of that year, a research center for submarine infrastructure security, Seabed Security Experimentation Center (SeaSEC), opened in The Hague.
On April 9, 2024, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, the UK and Denmark signed a joint declaration to work together to protect infrastructure in the North Sea and, only a day later, eight Baltic Sea countries – Lithuania, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Poland and Sweden – signed a joint declaration to protect offshore and subsea infrastructure against activities that may put the energy assets and supply into jeopardy.
The six countries that came together to protect their North Sea assets later established the NorthSeal security platform to monitor suspicious maritime activity, enable fast information exchange, and coordinate joint responses. The platform was put into operation on January 15, 2025.
Cybersecurity
In the offshore energy sector, national security matters related to assets above the sea surface are coming into the forefront, as well. At the end of 2023, energy ministers of 26 EU Member States signed off on the EU Wind Power Package that, besides the new EU offshore renewable energy target and plans to streamline permitting and strengthen the supply chain, outlines a path for implementing cybersecurity measures and surveilling offshore infrastructure.
In the UK, concerns were raised last year as a Chinese wind turbine original equipment manufacturer (OEM) plans to build a factory in Scotland and its wind turbines were selected as preferred technology for two North Sea projects.
This June, the Financial Times reported that the Trump administration warned the UK government about national security risks that could arise if Mingyang Smart Energy is allowed to build its plant in Scotland and supply its technology to North Sea wind farms.
Following the news on the US warning, Chinese media outlet Global Times cited a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, He Weiwen, as saying this was “protectionism under national security guise”.
Mingyang Smart Energy entered the European offshore wind market at the beginning of 2021 by supplying wind turbines for Italy’s first offshore wind farm. Since then, the company has been selected as the preferred supplier for another project in Italy by the same developer, as well as for an offshore wind farm in Germany. In the UK, Mingyang’s technology is said to be under consideration for the Green Volt floating wind farm in Scotland.
The plan for building a factory in Scotland follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that the wind turbine OEM signed with the UK Department for International Trade (DIT) in December 2021, under which the DIT and Mingyang agreed to cooperate on bringing its proposed investment in a blade manufacturing factory, a service center and potentially a turbine assembly factory in the UK to realization.
Cybersecurity efforts in the sector do not stop at wind turbines and other energy production infrastructure. Earlier this year, North Star’s two new commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs) secured Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Cyber Resilience classification. According to Lloyd’s Register, this makes the UK-based offshore wind vessel operator the first organization in the world to have ships achieve this classification.
Join Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference (OEEC) on November 25 and 26, 2025 in Amsterdam to explore offshore energy security topics in depth and meet the industry bringing forward solutions to safeguard offshore energy assets in Europe and beyond.
See www.oeec.biz/visitors/program
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The project scaled SolarDuck’s full-scale design down to a 1:20 model. According to the company, carbon tubes and lightweight connectors were used to replicate mechanical behavior while maintaining correct scale factors. “This test focuses on the dynamic response of multi-body systems-looking at coupling forces, mooring loads, and the shielding effects of wind, currents, and waves,” said SolarDuck.
The campaign also included decay testing of single platforms, supporting future plans to deploy such units at remote locations. SolarDuck emphasized the role of MARIN’s motion tracking system in supporting the research.
South Korean LS Marine Solution has signed a contract with Türkiye’s Tersan Shipyard for the construction of its new, ultra-large cable laying vessel (CLV), which will have a load capacity of 13,000 tons.
The vessel was designed by Norwegian Salt Ship Design and will be 148.4 meters long and 31 meters wide. Construction will take about three years, with operations scheduled to begin in 2028.
LS Marine Solution said the new vessel was being built to strengthen its technological capabilities in response to the West Coast HVDC Energy Highway, a large-scale grid connection project proposed to be built in South Korea by 2040 to transmit 20 GW of offshore wind, expected to be installed in the country by that time, to key industrial areas.
Fugro has partnered up with high-tech software company
DTACT and AI-powered satellite intelligence company Ubotica to develop a data fusion and intelligence platform that will provide government organizations with the information needed to strengthen national security and safeguard critical underwater infrastructure.
Fugro will provide geo-data collected using advanced autonomous solutions, including uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), underwater vehicles, and aerial drones, while Ubotica will provide near-real-time satellite vessel tracking data using its AI-driven acquisition technologies.
DTACT will then use its data fusion capabilities to combine the geo-data and satellite intelligence with other data streams, delivering a comprehensive intelligence picture for informed risk assessment and decision support.
“This partnership with DTACT and Ubotica allows us to integrate additional intelligence into our Geo-data, enabling information-driven operations for national security efforts,” said Ivar de Josselin de Jong, Director of Strategy and Government Relations for Fugro’s Maritime Security and Surveillance business.
UK-based subsea technology company Vesipro has supplied 1,366 meters of its Blue Ocean Protectors (BOP0130, 120 millimeter bore) to
support the installation of a 33 kV subsea power cable at a high-current tidal energy site in Orkney, Scotland. According to the UK-based com-
pany, the site is known for strong tidal flows that pose risks to subsea infrastructure. Vesipro’s articulated cast iron protectors were installed along the cable route to stabilize the line and shield it from seabed contact.
“Acting as both a stabilising and shielding system, they prevent direct seabed contact and reduce exposure to abrasion and hydrodynamic forces,” Vesipro said.
This is said to mark the first tidal application for the Blue Ocean Protectors, highlighting their potential use in high-energy marine environments.
Rosenxt UK, part of Swiss Rosenxt Holding, has acquired selected assets and talent from subsea robotics and engineering firm Beam. Beam, formed by the merger of UK-based Rovco and Vaarst in 2024, ceased trading in May, leading to the loss of 162 jobs. According to Rosenxt, the acquisition does not constitute a continuation of all Beam’s operations, but represents a carefully considered consolidation of high-value competencies, focused on integrating key technical assets and establishing a foundation for future development.
Even before ceasing operations, Beam was a highly interesting company for Rosenxt, particularly due to its autonomous underwater system technologies and
Dutch thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) producer Strohm has completed the first field trials with Brazilian oil & gas giant Petrobras for its TCP design, performed at
AI-powered sensor technologies. In the coming months, Rosenxt will evaluate and align the acquired capabilities with its strategy, with a focus on growth in Aberdeen and Bristol.
First for Petrobras as it puts Strohm's thermoplastic composite pipe to test
water depths of approximately 1,500 meters. The testing and engineering assessments were conducted in the Campos Basin in June, demonstrating the pipe’s performance in real-world conditions and ease of installation, using the same standard flexible pipe installation vessels already part of Petrobras’ fleet.
“The technology has the potential to transform the global deepwater
market and unlocks a huge potential for us in Brazil," said Renato Bastos, VP Brazil at Strohm.
“The success of the field trial paves the way for wider adoption of our technology in the country, keeping us on track to fulfil our commitment to becoming the leading composite pipe supplier to Petrobras, as well as preparing for local production.”
Wave energy developer Eco Wave Power has completed production of all floaters for its first U.S. wave energy project, set for deployment at the Port of Los Angeles, which is expected to begin later this month. According to Eco Wave Power, the floaters, built by California-based All-Ways Metal, mark a key milestone for what will become the first onshore wave energy station in the U.S.
The devices have passed through the final painting phase and are now moving into assembly and logistics.
The floaters will be installed on a pre-existing jetty structure, where wave motion will drive the company’s patented onshore conversion unit. The system aims to provide a lower-maintenance, land-based alternative to offshore energy platforms.
Van Wijngaarden Marine Services has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Kooiman Marine Group for the design and construction of a next-generation DP2 Multi Purpose Vessel (MPV) 4716. This agreement marks a new milestone in the commitment of Van Wijngaarden Marine Services’ to innovation, sustainability, and operational versatility across their fleet and the Kooiman Marine Group custom design capabilities.
Hydraulic Valve Remote Control Systems (VRCS) offer compact, safe, and reliable solutions for all types of vessels.
With a single push of a button, multiple valves can be operated simultaneously, resulting in lower operational costs and reduced onboard crew requirements. Our system is perfect for handling and transferring liquid cargoes like LPG/LNG, ballast, bilge water, and fuel oil. It can be used on a variety of ship types and offshore installations.
• Easy to operate and low maintenance
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• Compact and flexible, with powerful torque even in smaller actuators
• Robust, reliable, and corrosion-resistant
The vessel will be built to the highest standards, incorporating the latest in IMO Tier III emissions and ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vessel) compliance. With a diesel-electric / hybrid propulsion system, it offers both efficiency and environmental responsibility. This newbuild MPV is engineered for ultimate flexibility, whether in shallow waters, anchor handling operations, subsea work, or supporting offshore and renewable energy projects. With its compact footprint and powerful capabilities, it will significantly expand the ability of Van Wijngaarden Marine Services to serve clients around the world.
• Simultaneous multi-valve operation at the touch of a button
• Optional eco-friendly actuators using biodegradable oil and smart electro-hydraulic units with SMART-bus connectivity
With VRCS, Reikon offers a forward-thinking solution that combines technology, sustainability, and ease of use.
French wave energy developer Seaturns has secured €2.45 million to support the industrialization and deployment of its wave energy technology, following a fundraising round backed by 1,543 investors on the LITA.co platform.
“This support is crucial to deploy our full-scale demonstrator from the summer of 2025 and accelerate our industrial development,” said Vincent Tournerie, Founding President of Seaturns.
The funding is said to enable the deployment of a scale-1 demonstrator at the SEM-REV test site managed by OPEN-C Foundation, mark the beginning of industrial-scale production, and support international commercialization activities.
The announcement follows 18 months of sea trials conducted at Ifremer, where Seaturns’ wave energy device demonstrated robustness, performance, and potential to contribute to decarbonized power generation across Europe and beyond.
Canadian oil and gas company Cenovus Energy has merged two large structures forming part of the drilling platform at its field offshore Newfoundland, Canada.
As disclosed by Cenovus in a social media post, the topsides arrived at its White Rose field on July 16 after starting their journey from Kiewit’s yard in Texas. They were transported to the location on board the Pioneering Spirit construction vessel.
The 23,000-tonne platform was placed on the concrete gravity structure, marking what Cenovus says is a major milestone for the project. Thanks to fair weather, the operation was completed in two hours.
Kiewit fabricated, constructed, and integrated the topsides, including the facilities services block, a 144-person living quarters, a flare boom, a helideck, two lifeboat stations, drilling substructures, drilling floor, and utilities.
Rotterdam-headquartered Draeger Marine & Offshore (DMO) has provided insight into the support
provided during the first carbon dioxide (CO2) injection test for carbon capture and storage (CCS)
offshore UK. In April, a joint venture between Perenco UK, Carbon Catalyst and Harbour Energy announced the completion of CO2 tests at the depleted Leman natural gas reservoir in the Southern North Sea that kicked off in two months prior. This is recognized as the first time that CO2 has been injected for carbon storage in the UK.
Dutch DMO has now revealed that it delivered the gas detectors that were used to monitor CO2 on deck during transport and transfer. This included its gas detection instrument Dräger X-zone, which was used for extensive area gas monitoring. As explained, the solution can fence line up to 25 devices and measure up to six gases.
EST-Floattech has added Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery modules to its Octopus Series, offering a safe, robust, and scalable solution for maritime energy storage. Designed for vessels with long discharge cycles and overnight charging, the new modules feature high thermal stability, long lifecycle performance, and air cooling for reduced maintenance and weight.
Seamlessly integrated with EST-Floattech’s proven Octopus Battery Management System, the LFP modules meet stringent maritime safety and cybersecurity standards.
This expansion caters to growing demand for chemistry diversity and reinforces EST-Floattech’s "safe by design" approach. With this launch, the company celebrates 15 years of innovation in delivering reliable and sustainable battery solutions.
Fresh decade-long deal secures more Norwegian gas for Europe
Norwegian state-owned energy giant Equinor has signed a multi-year natural gas supply agreement with BASF, a developer of a broad portfolio of component solutions for manufacturing consumer goods, which plans to use this gas for its needs in Europe.
France’s energy giant TotalEnergies is making strides in the development of the first-ever offshore oil field in Suriname. Progress has also been achieved in the construction of a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel destined for this project.
According to Suriname’s national oil company (NOC), Staatsolie Maatschappij Suriname (Staatsolie), which embarked on a mission to get the money required to cover its part of the development costs and join the project earlier this year, the FPSO vessel for GranMorgu is under construction, with progress currently at 27%. With the first oil expected in 2028, the company explains that production and injection wells will be drilled, subsea installations and pipelines will be laid, and modules will be installed on the FPSO in the coming years.
With deliveries slated to start on October 1st, 2025, this long-term strategic agreement enables Equinor’s annual delivery of up to 23 terawatt hours (around 2 billion cubic meters) of natural gas over ten years, which will cover a substantial share of BASF’s natural gas needs in Europe. The Norwegian giant has been supplying gas and liquids to BASF for several years.
Anders Opedal, Equinor’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: “This agreement further strengthens our partnership with BASF. Natural gas not only provides energy security to Europe but also critical feedstock to European industries. I am very happy that our gas also supports BASF’s efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Gas from Norway comes with the lowest emissions from production and transportation.”
According to Equinor, natural gas is a key feedstock for European industries, especially in the production of chemicals and fertilisers. As BASF uses natural gas both as an energy source and as a raw material in the production of basic chemicals, the Norwegian state-owned player believes that this partnership will support the company’s strategy to diversify its energy and raw materials portfolio.
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The European Commission has launched the Hydrogen Mechanism under the European Union (EU) Energy and Raw Materials Platform, aimed at supporting the market development of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and its derivatives, including ammonia, methanol, and electro-based sustainable aviation fuel (e-SAF). It is understood that the online platform will host different mechanisms covering hydrogen, raw materials, natural
gas, and biomethane, with the possibility to cover other products in the future. The first of these to enter into operation is the Hydrogen Mechanism, which is now open for stakeholder registration and subscription.
The first round of matching demand and supply is reportedly planned for September 2025. As informed, the regulation on the internal markets for renewable gas, natural gas, and hydro-
Germany’s Reederei Bernd Sibum has received funding from the German government to make its ships, which are being built by Dutch shipbuilder Damen, even more sustainable. The four combi freighters (CF) 3850 under construction at Damen Yichang in China, will be upgraded to sail with significantly lower emissions.
The vessels are being built with the capability to sail 100% on biofuel, as well as with batteries for peak shaving and port operations. They were also being prepared hybrid ready. The newbuilds will also be equipped with a wind assisted propulsion technology-Econowind VentoFoils. This wind assisted ship propulsion solution is operated fully auto-
gen mandates the European Commission to set up and operate a mechanism under the European Hydrogen Bank to support the market development of hydrogen for a limited duration until the end of 2029.
This Hydrogen Mechanism is intended to match and aggregate demand and supply, help identify infrastructure development needs, and facilitate access to information on financial solutions.
matically to the prevailing wind conditions using intelligent technology. This system is expected to lower the vessels’ fuel consumption in the region of 12.5% over the year, facilitating a significant reduction in emissions.
A new cross-border initiative to develop tidal turbine blades is underway in Wales, led by Menter Môn Morlais, developer of what is said to be Europe’s largest consented tidal energy scheme.
According to Menter Môn Morlais, the project is backed by £1 million (approximately $1.3 million) in funding from the Welsh Government’s Vinnovate program and aims to produce more efficient and durable
blades for deployment in high-energy tidal sites off the coast of Ynys Môn, Anglesey.
Partners include AMRC Cymru, ORE Catapult, and the Morlais project, alongside Galician companies Magallanes Renovables and D3 Applied Technologies.
“This project promotes international collaboration and supports long-term economic benefits for Ynys Môn, in terms of jobs, skills, innovation and clean energy. It’s a step towards making tidal a reliable, scalable part of our net zero future in Wales,” said Andy Billcliff, Chief Executive of Menter Môn Morlais.
The collaboration is said to bring together manufacturing and design capabilities with experience in marine energy.
Norwegian state-owned gas grid operator Gassco has completed one portion of the decommissioning job it is undertaking at a field in the North Sea.
The Norwegian player disclosed having completed the offshore removal of the Heimdal Riser Platform (HRP) in the North Sea. Together with the Equinor-operated Heimdal processing platform, it formed part of the Heimdal Gas Centre in block 25/4.
According to Gassco, Equinor, as the technical service provider, con-
tracted Heerema Marine Contractors with Aker Solutions acting as a subcontractor for the project.
The lifting operations were done by Heerema, the same company that installed the Heimdal platform on the field in 1985.
The company’s largest heavy lift vessel, Sleipnir, got the job done, and the structure was brought onshore to Aker Solutions’ facilities at Stord, where dismantling and recycling are underway.
Under the multi-year contracts for operators described as “major”, CSA will manage multiple environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) programs offshore Suriname, mobilizing vessels of opportunity to perform field operations in a range of water depths up to 3,000 msw.
The company noted that these studies would feed ESIA programs and would include environmental baseline surveys with sampling and laboratory analysis, long-term metocean deployments to measure currents and waves, marine fauna observations, and passive acoustic monitoring in compliance with the Nationale Milieu Autoriteit (NMA), responsible for implementing the provisions of the Environmental Framework Law in Suriname to allow oil & gas project proponents to achieve permits within environmental guidelines.
CSA has been supporting offshore oil & gas operators in Suriname since 2009 and formed an in-country office in 2021.
“The Suriname/Guyana region has been an exciting development in the oil and gas industry in recent years, and CSA has supported this local market for over 15 years,” said Kevin Peterson, CEO of CSA. “CSA’s office in Paramaribo, Suriname, has helped us develop and maintain long-standing local relationships and provide CSA with a unique capacity for supporting this growing offshore energy sector with best-in-class multidisciplinary survey services.”
CSA recently shed light on a scientific discovery at an offshore natural gas platform in the Mediterranean Sea that had spurred investigation among faculty members at Tel Aviv University and collaborating partners in the region
Enviros Group (Enviros) has strengthened its presence in the Middle East with the opening of three new offices in the United Arab Emirates; two in Abu Dhabi and one in Dubai. The move marks a significant step forward in the company’s broader strategy to expand its global reach and deepen its engagement with key regional markets.
This expansion allows Enviros to better support clients across the UAE and the wider Middle East by delivering high-quality services in land and nearshore environments. The newly established offices provide a strategic base from which the company can respond more efficiently to project needs, industry developments, and regional growth opportunities.
As part of its core offering, Enviros will continue to deliver integrated Climate, Environment, Metocean, and Solutions (CEMS) services. These capabilities are increasingly in demand as industries navigate more complex environmental standards, sustainability targets, and operational risks. With a local presence, Enviros can provide more agile, responsive support tailored to the specific challenges of the region.
The UAE remains a prominent location for companies looking to align with national development goals, and Enviros’ investment reflects a strong commitment to long-term growth in the country. The expansion also supports local employment and knowledge development, with a focus on
building lasting value within the communities it serves.
With this new footprint, Enviros is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the region’s infrastructure, environmental resilience, and sustainable growth, while continuing to deliver on its promise of technical excellence across all regions.
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Cover Photo Scaldis' HLV Gulliver, deploying a 60–96” Internal Lifting Tool, featuring a lever arm Van der Kloet Foto & Videoproducties
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