DEME and COSCO Shipping, the largest shipping company in the world, are partnering in a unique joint venture to develop offshore wind energy in China. DEME’s DP2 jack-up vessel ‘Goliath’ will be deployed for the first offshore wind projects to be set up by the joint venture.
‘Goliath’ was loaded aboard COSCO’s semi-submersible heavy lift vessel Kang Sheng Kou in the port of Vlissingen. The vessel is setting course to COSCO’s shipyard near Shanghai for some last modifications before embarking on the installation of the first offshore wind projects off the eastern coast of China.
The development of offshore wind energy is in line with the Chinese climate vision and strategy for the development of renewable energy, which are incorporated in the 13th five-year plan issued by China’s central government for social and economic development. China targets a significant increase in the installed capacity of offshore wind energy by 2020.
Alain Bernard, Director and CEO DEME Group: “With our extensive know-how in developing, building and maintaining offshore wind farms, DEME can support COSCO Shipping’s offshore wind ambitions to become a significant player in this market segment. As a pioneering company in offshore renewable energy, this is an excellent opportunity for export of DEME’s experience gained on projects in Europe and our home market in Belgium.”
Last week DEME and COSCO Shipping also officially inaugurated the joint venture office in Guangzhou in China.
Source: DEME