Maritime 海角视频 has launched its Offshore Wind Plan in Grimsby, the world鈥檚 leading operations and maintenance cluster.

Described as a comprehensive and ground-breaking document, it draws together renewables and seaborne industries, making a series of recommendations on how both can work together with government to deliver maximum economic benefit from growth.

Covering off ports, shipbuilding, crewing and professional services, it has been welcomed at Cabinet level.

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Graham Stuart MP, Minister of State in the new Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, said: 鈥淭he offshore wind industry is a major 海角视频 success story, with the largest operational fleet in Europe, the world's four biggest individual wind farms and the highest ambition of energy produced by 2030.

"I therefore welcome the publication of the Maritime 海角视频 offshore wind plan, which highlights the numerous opportunities on offer for the 海角视频's maritime industries at both existing and new offshore wind farms. We can all look forward to working together to deliver the maximum economic benefit for local areas and helping create more well-paid jobs for those people living in and around our coastal communities."

It was revealed at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult鈥檚 Operations & Maintenance Centre of Excellence in Grimsby, supported by Associated British Ports and several industry representatives. Orsted鈥檚 East Coast Hub is the base for Hornsea One and Hornsea Two, the world鈥檚 largest farms currently generating electricity

Opportunities identified include building vessels in the 海角视频 to support developments and further growing 海角视频 ports as centres for manufacturing and assembly.

Wind of Hope, Hornsea Two's service operation vessel, pictured in the offshore wind farm.
Wind of Hope, Hornsea Two's service operation vessel, pictured in the offshore wind farm.

ORE Catapult estimates that 149 service operation vessels will be needed in Europe by 2030, more than doubling by 2050.

The birth of a new partnership between the leading trade bodies in the green and blue economies also identified priority areas for collaboration to ensure the rapid growth in offshore wind is delivering good jobs and economic growth across the 海角视频.

Maritime 海角视频 chair Robin Mortimer, said: 鈥淭he maritime sector already plays a key role in our collective efforts to deliver a cleaner and more sustainable future by the middle of this century.

鈥淢aritime 海角视频鈥檚 Offshore Wind Plan sets out how delivering energy security through growing offshore wind can drive economic growth and job creation across the country through the maritime supply chain.

鈥淲ith its people, expertise, equipment and infrastructure, the maritime sector is present throughout the lifecycle of offshore wind and is uniquely placed to deliver well-paid, high-quality jobs and new industries, particularly in coastal towns and cities.鈥

Key recommendations and proposals within the plan include:

  • Creating quality career pathways for young people

  • Rewarding higher 海角视频 supply chain content in offshore wind projects

  • Reforming the planning system to enable green projects to be delivered quicker

  • Encouraging lenders and investors to finance infrastructure and vessels

Renewable 海角视频鈥檚 director of offshore wind, Jane Cooper, said: 鈥淭his plan will enable the offshore wind industry to work even more closely with our colleagues in the maritime sector on maximising the massive economic opportunities we鈥檙e offering, creating tens of thousands of high-quality jobs and attracting billions in private investment over the course of this decade.

鈥淭o reach the Government鈥檚 target of 50 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030, the offshore wind and maritime sectors will need to work collaboratively with aligned objectives to transform and rejuvenate ports around the country, enabling us to manufacture and assemble state-of-the-art turbines and other infrastructure at quayside locations. This will create further opportunities for vessels to help us to install vital new projects, including innovative floating turbines further out to sea. There鈥檚 a natural synergy between our sectors which we鈥檙e keen to enhance as we move forward together.鈥

On the Humber, regional renewables and marine industries were united last year with the merger of Grimsby Renewables Partnership and Team Humber Marine Alliance.

Orsted's East Coast Hub apprentices, pictured after completing their first shift at Race Bank offshore wind farm.
Orsted's East Coast Hub apprentices, pictured after completing their first shift at Race Bank offshore wind farm.

Andy Reay, head of offshore wind for Associated British Ports, said: 鈥淲e are proud to support the launch of Maritime 海角视频鈥檚 Offshore Wind Plan. Our ports, such as Grimsby 鈥 the world鈥檚 largest offshore wind operations and maintenance port 鈥 demonstrate how offshore wind can catalyse investment and high quality job growth, an impact that should be hugely boosted by the new generations of floating offshore wind. Delivering the Offshore Wind Plan鈥檚 recommendations and a partnership approach both between supply chain players and industry and governments will be key to achieving the environmental and economic opportunities for the 海角视频.鈥

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