The recent Riviera Offshore Wind Journal Conference (Offshore Wind Journal Conference 2025 - Events - Riviera) highlighted the growing demand for vessels supporting the offshore wind sector – in particular commissioning service operation (CSOV), construction support (CSV) and crew transfer (CTV) vessels. Europe and Asia lead the way in the sector with the Americas expected to lag-behind for the foreseeable future. 

Where do we currently stand?

There is a clear emphasis on the need for decarbonisation and a desire to align offshore wind vessels with the sustainability objectives of the offshore wind farms they service. The industry has come a long way in recent years, with impressive innovation on all-electric and alternative fuel vessels as well as offshore electric charging infrastructure technology being demonstrated at the conference. The growing demands of the sector have also created an opportunity for the construction of more versatile ‘multi-functional’ vessels that can be deployed to projects for longer periods of time. 

What are the challenges that lie ahead?

The availability of finance will depend on a number of factors, including vessel type and whether the vessel is subject to a charter. There have been a number of encouraging financings closed recently, showing that there is appetite to lend against vessels that will be supporting the offshore wind sector, but challenges can remain – especially around new and untested technologies. We heard encouraging support for the offshore wind sector from one northern European export credit agency at the conference, and a number of others have been actively supporting the sector. It is also expected that the role of alternative lending/the private equity sector will also increase in the years to come. 

Another challenge is the alignment of alternative fuel/battery investments with the supporting infrastructure prospects for this technology. While methanol, for example, was identified as one of the more favourable options for these vessels, questions remain on the development of necessary infrastructure and the availability of the ‘green’ methanol required to make it viable. 

Other considerations include shortages of specialised vessels and crew and the impact the new US administration will have on prospects for farms in the US.

Despite these challenges, the pace of innovation is impressive and the offshore wind sector is on its way to setting an example for vertically integrated sustainability in shipping.