Special ships riding high on the environmental wave

A2SEA has had a strong tailwind on the market for offshore windmills since the company was first given the opportunity to demonstrate an installation ship developed in Denmark.

Worldwide interest in offshore windmills is on the increase as the wind is often stronger and more constant on the open sea. A number of countries are pouring massive investments into offshore wind farms, with England as one of the most progressive. So the near future looks bright for companies such as A2SEA.

The company specialises in collecting offshore windmills from the quayside and sailing them to wind farms, where they are installed directly from the ship onto foundations in the sea, using a crane on the deck which can lift 450 tonnes, and four legs to stabilise the ship on the seabed.

Watch a film about A2Sea

Sceptical customers
The solution has turned out to be both cheaper and considerably more efficient than the methods previously used. In 2002, A2SEA delivered its first project at around half of the price charged by its competitors.

Until then, the company had had a hard time convincing the first customers of the potential of the solution. But after making the choice to invest in two ships to demonstrate the solution, A2SEA has had a strong tailwind. From 2002, A2SEA has installed 65 per cent of the world's offshore windmills and grown from four to 250 employees.

The fact that A2SEA operates in the global market for green energy has turned out to be an important factor in the company's ability to obtain capital. It has also made it easier to attract and retain competent employees.

More services
A2SEA's strategy today is to develop the business by offering more services to the same customer segment. A2SEA offers a total solution whereby the company is responsible for the entire set-up of offshore wind farms.

With an expected eightfold increase in the production of energy from offshore windmills by 2020, the near future looks bright for A2SEA. The company does not expect their installation vessels, or those of its competitors, to be standing still for the next many years.In 2010 A2SEA ordered a new installation vessel from the COSCO-works in China this first vessel, a 2nd generation installation vessel, will be delivered in the fall of 2012. In 2011 A2SEA will decide if an additional vessel should be ordered for use in 2014.