Mobile port solution

Fred Olsen 1848, a renewable energy innovation company, is exploring the deployment of a mobile quayside, known as the Mobile Port Solution, as part of Opportunity Cromarty Firth’s (OCF) bid to become a green freeport.

“By setting up the Mobile Port Solution in the Firth, Fred. Olsen 1848 would provide an immediate solution for the rapid and cost-efficient installation of floating offshore wind, enabling the creation of new attractive green job opportunities, not only to the Firth but also for the UK in general,” said Sofie Olsen Jebsen, CEO, Fred. Olsen 1848.

Supply chain

Building upon the existing infrastructure and competencies for manufacturing, assembly and integration of large industrial scale floating offshore wind structures, the Mobile Port Solution aims to enhance the floating offshore wind supply chain and infrastructure in Scotland and contribute to establishing a floating offshore wind cluster in Inverness and the Cromarty Firth.

In addition, it aims to have minimal environmental impact and builds on existing infrastructure.

A wind turbine installation vessel combined with a storage barge, will be located at a suitable location within Cromarty Firth, creating sufficient space and working conditions during the pre-assembly, pre-commissioning and wind turbine installation on the floating foundation.

Bob Buskie, chief executive of the Port of Cromarty Firth, speaking on behalf of OCF, said: “The Fred. Olsen 1848 Mobile Port Solution would increase available infrastructure and, used in conjunction with the excellent existing port facilities at Invergordon and Nigg, would enable the Firth to support a larger number of offshore wind projects and accelerate the shift to green energy.”