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The U.S. government has revoked the approval for the Empire Wind offshore wind project, a joint venture between Equinor (Norway) and BP (UK). The decision, driven by regulatory and economic concerns, halts plans for the 2.1 GW project off New York. The developers are reviewing options, including potential legal challenges or revised proposals. Key Companies: Equinor (Norwegian energy giant, formerly Statoil) BP (British multinational oil and gas company) Key Details: European Companies: Equinor (lead developer) and BP (partner). Total Contract Value: ~$3 billion (planned investment). Impact: Halts one of New York’s largest offshore wind projects, affecting renewable energy targets. Dutch companies involved: Boskalis (Netherlands) – A major marine services provider, likely involved in seabed surveys, cable laying, or installation support. SBM Offshore (Netherlands) – Specializes in floating energy solutions; could have contributed to floating wind turbine technology. Port of Rotterdam (Indirect Role) – A hub for offshore wind logistics, potentially involved in equipment transit.

1. Europe a) UK – Dogger Bank D Phase (3.6 GW, North Sea) Start: Mid-2025 Developer: SSE Renewables, Equinor, Vårgrønn Dredging Scope: Seabed leveling, cable trenching, scour protection Key Contractors: Van Oord (foundations), DEME (cable laying) b) Germany – He Dreiht (900 MW, North Sea) Start: Q3 2025 Developer: EnBW Dredging Scope: Monopile installation, seabed preparation Key Contractors: Jan De Nul (vessels), Boskalis (scour protection) c) Netherlands – IJmuiden Ver Alpha & Beta (4 GW, North Sea) Start: Late 2025 Developer: TenneT Dredging Scope: Export cable routes, trenching Key Contractors: Van Oord, DEME Offshore 2. USA a) New York Bight – Empire Wind 1 (816 MW) Start: Q2 2025 Developer: Equinor + BP Dredging Scope: Monopile installation, rock dumping Key Contractors: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) b) Massachusetts – Vineyard Wind 2 (1.2 GW) Start: Early 2025 Developer: Avangrid + CIP Dredging Scope: Cable laying, seabed leveling Key Contractors: DEME (cable installation) 3. Asia a) Taiwan – Hai Long 2 & 3 (1 GW) Start: Mid-2025 Developer: Northland Power + Yushan Energy Dredging Scope: Jacket foundation installation Key Contractors: Boskalis (transport), Jan De Nul (seabed prep) b) South Korea – Jeonnam Phase 3 (1.5 GW) Start: Late 2025 Developer: Korea Offshore Wind Power Dredging Scope: Floating foundation mooring prep Key Contractors: Hyundai Heavy Industries 4. Emerging Markets a) Australia – Star of the South (2.2 GW, Gippsland) Start: 2025 (pending final approval) Developer: Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Dredging Scope: First major Australian offshore wind project b) Brazil – Ventos do Sul (1.5 GW, Rio Grande do Sul) Start: Late 2025 Developer: Ocean Winds (EDP + Engie) Dredging Scope: Seabed surveys, foundation work

1. Port Expansion & Harbor Deepening Projects Brazil – Port of Santos Expansion (Brazil) A $2.3 billion project to deepen the access channel to 17 meters, allowing larger container ships. Dredging by Van Oord and Jan De Nul to start in early 2025. India – Vadhavan Mega Port (Maharashtra) $9 billion deep-water port project, including capital dredging for a 20-meter draft. Expected to begin in mid-2025 (subject to final approvals). USA – Charleston Harbor Deepening (Phase 2, South Carolina) USACE will further deepen the harbor to 54 feet (16.5m) to accommodate post-Panamax vessels. Bidding expected in 2025, with dredging starting late 2025. 2. Coastal Protection & Land Reclamation Saudi Arabia – Red Sea Global (NEOM) Dredging for luxury island developments as part of the $500 billion NEOM megaproject. Boskalis and DEME likely to be involved. Netherlands – Marker Wadden Phase 2 New eco-friendly dredging to create artificial islands for biodiversity. Van Oord leading the project (start: Q1 2025). 3. Inland Waterway & Navigation Projects Congo River Dredging (DRC & Republic of Congo) A $1.2 billion project to improve navigation along the Congo River, led by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC). Expected to begin in late 2025. Bangladesh – Payra Port Development Capital dredging to maintain a 14.5-meter draft for larger vessels. Belgian & Dutch firms in contention for the contract. 4. Energy & Offshore Wind Farm Dredging Germany – Baltic Sea Wind Farm Connections Cable trenching and dredging for new offshore wind projects. DEME Offshore likely to lead (start: mid-2025). UK – Dogger Bank Wind Farm (Phase 4) Preparatory seabed dredging for turbine foundations. Boskalis and Van Oord competing for contracts.

Total Lifetime Costs: • CAPEX: ~$48M (assuming $4M per MW) • OPEX: $200k per MW/year → $2.4M per year • Total OPEX over 25 years: $60M • Total Cost (CAPEX + OPEX): $108M Lifetime energy production: 12 MW×50%×8,760 hours/year×25 years=1,314,000 MWh Breakeven electricity price: Total Energy ProducedTotal Cost​=108M / 1,314,000​≈82 USD/MWh or 8.2 cents/kWh Breakeven price range: High-Cost Scenario: 10–12 cents/kWh Low-Cost Scenario (Newer Turbines, Government Subsidies): 4–6 cents/kWh Current Offshore Wind Energy Prices: Europe (2023): $40–$90/MWh (4–9 cents/kWh) US (2023): $60–$120/MWh (6–12 cents/kWh) If the electricity price in the market is higher than 8.2 cents/kWh, the turbine will break even and turn a profit over its lifespan. Future projections: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) anticipates that offshore wind CAPEX will continue to decline, reaching €1.29 million to €2.58 million per MW by 2030 and €1.06 million to €2.12 million per MW by 2050

Yes, the offshore renewable energy sector, particularly offshore wind, is facing significant challenges that could be considered a crisis in some regions. Here are some key issues: 1. Rising Costs and Inflation • The cost of materials such as steel, copper, and rare earth elements has increased, making offshore wind projects more expensive. • Higher interest rates have also raised financing costs for large-scale projects. 2. Project Cancellations and Delays • Several major offshore wind projects have been canceled or delayed, especially in the U.S. and Europe. • Companies like Ørsted and Vattenfall have abandoned projects due to financial unviability. 3. Supply Chain and Manufacturing Issues • A limited supply of specialized vessels and components has created bottlenecks in project execution. • Delays in turbine production and installation have slowed the sector’s growth. 4. Policy and Regulatory Uncertainty • Inconsistent government policies and delayed auctions for offshore wind licenses have made planning difficult. • Some governments have reduced subsidies, making projects less attractive to investors. 5. Competition with Fossil Fuels • High oil and gas prices have led some energy companies to reinvest in fossil fuels instead of renewables. • BP and Shell, for example, are scaling back their offshore wind ambitions in favor of traditional energy. Is This a Temporary Setback or a Long-Term Crisis? While the sector is facing difficulties, offshore wind remains crucial for the energy transition. Some experts believe these challenges are growing pains, while others warn that without stronger policy support and investment, the industry could stagnate.

BP has announced a significant strategic shift, moving away from its previous focus on renewable energy to prioritize oil and gas production. This decision comes in response to investor pressure and financial challenges associated with its earlier green energy initiatives. Increased Investment in Oil and Gas Under the leadership of CEO Murray Auchincloss, BP plans to boost its annual investment in oil and gas to approximately $10 billion, accounting for about two-thirds of its capital expenditure. The company aims to increase its oil and gas production to up to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2030, reversing its prior commitment to reduce fossil fuel output. enca.com Reduction in Renewable Energy Spending Concurrently, BP will significantly reduce its spending on renewable energy projects. The company plans to cut annual investments in low-carbon energy to between $1.5 billion and $2 billion, a substantial decrease from its previous commitment of $10 billion per year until 2030. This move includes scaling back on projects in offshore wind, solar, and hydrogen sectors, which have faced challenges such as rising inflation and technical issues. feeds.bbci.co.uk Investor Influence and Financial Performance The strategic overhaul is partly attributed to pressure from activist investor Elliott Investment Management, which has acquired a significant stake in BP. The hedge fund has advocated for increased investment in traditional energy sectors to enhance shareholder value. BP's financial performance has lagged behind competitors like ExxonMobil and Chevron, prompting this reassessment of its energy transition strategy. euronews.com Industry-Wide Implications BP's pivot reflects a broader trend among major oil companies reassessing their renewable energy commitments. Companies such as Shell and Equinor have also scaled back their green energy investments, citing factors like slower-than-expected energy transitions and increased costs. While BP maintains its long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, critics argue that this shift prioritizes short-term financial gains over environmental responsibilities.

#vacancy #offshore Chief officer, 2nd engineer, 3 engineer. Please send availability to job@personnelservices.ee (EU Nationality due to working location)

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/us-approves-major-massachusetts-offshore-wind-farm-2024-12-20/ The Biden administration has approved the SouthCoast Wind project, marking its eleventh major offshore wind initiative. Located off the coast of Massachusetts, the project is a collaboration between EDP Renewables and ENGIE. Featuring 141 turbines, the farm will generate 2.4 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power over 840,000 homes. Construction is set to begin in 2025, with energy production expected by the decade’s end. This approval highlights the U.S. commitment to renewable energy, despite challenges such as high costs and supply chain issues, as it strives to meet ambitious climate goals and boost green energy infrastructure.

https://mailchi.mp/1921ac6d2288/chief-engieer-offshore-december-8343754

https://www.wsj.com/business/logistics/never-before-have-so-many-sailors-been-abandoned-at-sea-11549bba There has been a record number of cases where sailors have been abandoned at sea by shipowners, often left unpaid and stranded on vessels. As of mid-November 2024, over 4,000 seafarers on 282 ships have been abandoned, highlighting severe issues within the global shipping industry.

https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1151435/LNG-shipping-rates-slump-to-historic-lows--and-theyre-still-falling LNG freight rates have dropped to historic lows due to an oversupply of ships and slower-than-expected LNG production increases. In November, hiring a modern LNG carrier in the Atlantic basin averaged $19,700 per day. The oversupply stems from a surge in ship orders during Europe's energy crisis, with many new vessels entering the market this year and more expected by 2027. Delays in U.S. LNG export facilities and lower-than-anticipated European demand have exacerbated the situation.

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https://www.offshore-energy.biz/uk-firm-advances-large-scale-natural-gas-and-hydrogen-storage-project/

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/investing/commodities/2024/11/16/cop29-clash-brews-as-saudis-resist-restating-fossil-fuel-pledge/ This might create a big shift away from the 'green deal' especially in relation with US elections.