DOF wins North Sea floating wind contract for full installation scope

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DOF has secured a transport and installation contract for a floating offshore wind development in the North Sea, expanding its role from subsea construction into a broad package of marine, mooring and cable operations.

The offshore services group disclosed the award on September 1, but did not identify the client, project, contract value, turbine capacity or planned offshore execution dates.

The contract covers inshore marine operations, mooring system pre lay, tow out and installation of floating offshore wind turbines, and installation of both dynamic and static export cables.

Engineering work has already started, according to the company.

The award gives DOF responsibility for several of the most operationally demanding stages of a floating wind development.

Unlike fixed bottom turbines, floating units are typically assembled before being towed offshore and connected to previously installed mooring systems. Power transmission also requires dynamic cables capable of accommodating movement of the floating structures.

Combining those activities under one contractor can reduce the number of interfaces between marine contractors, vessel operators and installation teams.

The company did not disclose which vessels from its construction fleet will be assigned to the campaign.

Mons Aase, chief executive of DOF Group ASA, described the project as technically demanding and said the company’s scope would run from inshore operations through to final cable installation.

“This award is another milestone for DOF in offshore wind,” Aase said. “This project is technically demanding, and our teams are well prepared to deliver the full scope safely, from inshore marine operations through to final cable installation.”

He said DOF would support the unidentified client through offshore execution and first power.

The latest award builds on DOF’s previous involvement in floating offshore wind, including Equinor’s 88 MW Hywind Tampen development off Norway.

For Hywind Tampen, DOF Subsea and Kværner formed a joint venture responsible for project management, engineering, assembly site management, mooring installation, turbine tow out and offshore installation.

That experience is relevant as floating wind developers seek contractors capable of managing several linked marine operations rather than treating each installation stage as a separate package.

The company has also previously undertaken engineering studies for prospective floating wind developments covering marine operations, mooring systems and dynamic cable installation.

The lack of a named project leaves several commercial and operational details unresolved.

DOF’s announcement refers to a floating offshore wind development in the North Sea while describing the work as part of its Atlantic region activities. No turbine number, generating capacity, water depth or installation schedule was provided.

The contract nevertheless places DOF across much of the offshore installation chain. Moorings must be installed before the floating turbines arrive, while tow out operations, offshore hook up and dynamic cable installation must be coordinated closely to avoid costly vessel and turbine waiting time.

For project logistics and marine contractors, that coordination becomes increasingly important as floating turbines move from individual demonstration units toward larger developments requiring repeated towing, mooring and cable operations.

DOF said its engineering teams are already working with the client on preparations for offshore execution.