UK Ports and FibreMax Sign Floating Offshore Wind MoU

August 2, 2024, by Adnan Memija

Associated British Ports (ABP) and Dutch synthetic mooring solutions provider, FibreMax, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to investigate development opportunities at ABP’s Port of Swansea, as well as the growing potential for floating offshore wind in the region.

The partnership aims to explore the possibility of creating up to 90 new full-time jobs via a new bespoke dockside facility.

It could enable the production of future offshore renewable components with a Just-in-Time (JiT) supply chain solution working with Welsh partners.

“With the Celtic Sea poised to become a major development site for green energy generation from floating offshore wind (FLOW) turbines, the region will be a strong source of demand for the offshore wind supply chain. ABP’s Port of Swansea offers significant potential for the development of supply chain facilities immediately adjacent to the FLOW activities in the Celtic Sea,” according to ABP.

“We are delighted to sign this MoU with FibreMax, a world leader in fibre cables. It marks a further tangible step forward in the transformational prospects for FLOW in the Celtic Sea. The Swansea Bay region presents an unparalleled opportunity for UK industry, sited in an area of rich industrial heritage, ideally suited to support upcoming Celtic Sea FLOW development,” said Andy Reay, Head of Offshore Wind at ABP.

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The signing of the MoU comes shortly after ABP, the UK’s largest port operator, announced that the company is joining forces with Marine Power Systems (MPS) to accelerate the development of floating offshore wind technology in the Celtic Sea.

Under the agreement, ABP will work with the Wales-based company to develop solutions that support the deployment of MPS’ floating platform technology PelaFlex in the Celtic Sea from ABP’s Port Talbot.

When it comes to FibreMax, the firm recently signed an agreement with the US-based classification organisation American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) to collaborate on stiffness-driven mooring tendons for the floating offshore wind market.

FibreMax’s part of the agreement will see the mooring solutions specialist provide expertise on stiffness, based on the company’s Parallel Wound Technology (PWT).