Fuelling the winds of change in Asia

As Asia accelerates its offshore wind ambitions, MDL’s experience in flexible handling offers a viable workaround to regional deployment challenges.

Asia is emerging as a global leader in offshore wind energy, driven by ambitious government targets, rising energy demand and commitments to carbon neutrality. Key markets across the region are investing heavily in offshore wind projects, leveraging their extensive coastlines and technological advancements.

The region has set ambitious offshore wind capacity goals for the coming decades, with floating offshore wind (FOW) technology gaining momentum to harness energy from deeper waters where fixed-bottom turbines are not viable.

However, the journey to maximising this offshore potential is not a straightforward one, with supply chain challenges, infrastructure limitations and technical complexities of working with harsh weather and sea-state conditions. As projects move into deeper waters, FOW technology will require reliable and optimised solutions for cable and mooring line handling and installation - areas where MDL has excelled for over two decades.

Universal challenge: vessel availability

Specialist vessel shortage threatens to affect the development of offshore wind by the end of this decade and early 2030s. The demand for these vessels is increasing as the supply chain is serving a multi-energy industry, and the supply is not keeping pace. Offshore wind projects face the threat of delays in project timelines and increased costs, as they compete for key assets with the traditionally more profitable oil & gas sector.

MDL provides a solution to mitigate these challenges: flexible technology that allows vessels of opportunity to be temporarily adapted for cable and mooring operations, safely and only for the duration of the project scope. This approach enables offshore developers to tap into local vessel fleets, unlocking additional availability while avoiding the need for long-term vessel commitments.

MDL’s modular equipment spreads can be swiftly mobilised and seamlessly integrated onto Offshore Support Vessels (OSVs) or construction vessels, offering a viable alternative to dedicated cable layers. By broadening the pool of available vessels, MDL’s adaptable technology de-risks project schedules and enhances cost efficiency.

Besides addressing the issue of vessel shortages, there are further benefits linked to using local support tonnage.

While dedicated cable layers are highly efficient and reliable for laying of long lengths of cables, they also carry large build costs, ranging from $100 million to $500 million with additional annual operating costs of c. $12-14 million. Day rates are currently estimated at $200,000 per day.

An alternative approach could use an OSV, enabled with temporary equipment spreads. OSVs are more versatile but less specialised so the capital costs can range from $50 million to $100 million.

Furthermore, using OSVs with temporary equipment spreads can be more environmentally friendly, as these vessels are often smaller with lower fuel consumption, and a growing number of new designs are prepared for future green fuels and battery hybrid technology.

MDL’s equipment design, featuring tight integration of systems, compact footprint and multi-lay options, helps preserve vessel deck space, allowing more cable, buoyancy modules or ancillary equipment to be carried on board and reducing the need for repeat trips to port.

The vessel-of-opportunity approach not only offers financial benefits but also addresses the region’s challenge in securing high-demand vessels. Additionally, the flexibility allows vessels to return to other tasks during tight seasonal windows.

A synergy with local content

Taiwan is one of the more mature offshore renewables markets in APAC, having already delivered over 2 GW of fixed-bottom wind farms, with a pipeline exceeding 5 GW in development. This has led to an established supply chain; however, with the removal of government subsidies for future projects, there is growing recognition of the need to work smarter and improve efficiency to drive down costs. The shift to larger turbines, increased wind farm sizes and the potential for floating offshore wind will require continued innovation and advancements.

Even more so outside Taiwan, supply chain is seen as another concern for offshore wind developers in Asia. The limited availability and portfolio of local supply chains, particularly for specialised technology and services, can significantly impact project timelines and costs. MDL addresses this issue through the provision of its advanced equipment on as-needed basis, or built for the local companies to own. Our in-house design and engineering capability ensures a tailored fit to the client’s business plan and types of scopes they are looking to pursue and enable from their home market.

But provision of enabling technology is only part of the puzzle; what completes the solution is Project Management & Engineering expertise for reliable integration with local vessels, followed by safe operation, performed by expert offshore personnel – all parts of the MDL package known as Integrated Project Solutions.

Our approach to early engagement and understanding client needs ensures that we provide tailored solutions that align with local requirements. By leveraging MDL industry expertise and global track record, MDL can help Asian developers map out all the pinch points in the flexibles’ procurement and installation – from quayside storage to offshore deployment – and identify optimal solutions from our own portfolio or readily available equipment in the local market.

By providing bespoke engineering solutions tailored to regional requirements, we help streamline the integration process. Tapping into local resources may not simply be an economical option – it is likely to be driven by regulation, which would dictate local content requirements.

In Japan’s licence bidding process, selection is made on a points system reflecting the strength and demonstration of a developer’s plans to deliver the project. These plans can be strengthened by including local ports - properly equipped to manage the throughput of cables and moorings, generating local vessel capability and smart installation methods, all of which would contribute to local content and significant project cost savings.

Getting the timing just right

Efficiency in installation processes is another key point in a successful floating wind strategy. For a FOWT connection scope, there are different scheduling and staging options, some including wet storage of the moorings and cables in advance of the towage of the floater. However, pre-laying cables too far in advance creates issues with warranties, as cable manufacturers typically do not provide coverage in such cases. Therefore, a Just-in-Time (JIT) deployment strategy is preferable.

JIT logistics focuses on delivering materials and equipment when they are needed, minimising storage costs and reducing the risk of delays. The key elements of this approach are: use of modular equipment that can be mobilised on short notice and Project Management & Engineering expertise to oversee all planning, procedures, schedules and resources required for the scope – including quayside services.

Arguably, JIT logistics allow for better quality control, as materials and equipment are inspected in real time directly before offshore deployment, reducing the risk stemming from the unknown condition of cold-stacked assets.

MDL's investment in portable flexlay equipment aligns perfectly with JIT logistics – not only is it quick to mobilise, but also the compact designs take up less space to store and deploy. Thanks to modern technology allowing remote diagnostics, we ensure its readiness for when it is required.

The equipment comes part and parcel with MDL Integrated Project Services, which also cover the early stages of the flexible product’s lifecycle: its optimised handling onshore and load out onto the vessel pre-installation.

MDL’s track record in cable handling includes extensive experience in managing complex cables onshore to ensure their integrity is preserved before deployment. Our team conducts feasibility studies to identify optimal handling methodologies for unique products, such as pre-terminated cables, assessing factors including quayside layout, available infrastructure and installation schedules.

We have successfully executed large-scale quayside marshalling operations, streamlining the mobilisation and demobilisation of vessels to reduce turnaround times. This holistic approach, encompassing planning, logistics and execution, ensures that cables and mooring components are protected at every stage, minimising the risk of damage and delays.

A universal floating foundation: North Sea flex-lay expertise

With over 25 years’ experience of operations in the water column and a portfolio of proven technical solutions to overcome associated challenges, MDL supports international developers in navigating complex markets.

By leveraging existing expertise in flexible handling solutions for floating structures across different marine sectors, with MDL wind developers gain direct access to proven solutions to confidently plan their cable and mooring rope installation scopes:

• Optimisation of internal vessel usage
• Support for local supply chain development
• Ensuring reliable transmission by protecting the integrity of the product
• Timely and sufficient reinforcement of port infrastructure

While there are universal challenges, each offshore wind development is different and requires a bespoke plan to ensure its success. To tailor the optimal approach to your development – in Asia or elsewhere – get in touch.