ABS: Floating Offshore Wind to Strain Support Vessel Supply

Growing Demand for Specialized Offshore Vessels

A new report from classification society ABS forecasts that floating offshore wind development will significantly increase demand for high-specification offshore support vessels, with supply constraints potentially appearing before the end of the decade. According to the report, produced in collaboration with Intelatus Global Partners and covered by gCaptain, titled Floating Offshore Wind and the Vessels That Support It, demand for large anchor handling tug supply vessels (AHTSs) and multipurpose support vessels (MPSVs) is expected to rise sharply as floating wind moves from pilot projects into commercial-scale deployment.

ABS notes that the existing offshore oil and gas support fleet offers a useful base to build from, but many vessels will need upgrades or replacement with purpose-built tonnage to handle the specific demands of floating wind installations.

Executive Commentary

Rob Langford, ABS Vice President, Global Offshore Markets, said floating offshore wind brings a distinct combination of challenges tied to vessel capability, mooring systems, and project execution. He added that the report points to where offshore experience can transfer directly, and where additional planning, investment, and technical readiness will be needed as projects mature.

Vessel Roles and Installation Scale

The report identifies vessel demand across towing floating foundations, installing anchors and mooring systems, hook-up work, subsea cable installation, and ongoing inspection and maintenance. ABS estimates that a typical 1 GW floating wind farm could require around 198 anchors and nearly 200 kilometers of mooring line — far more than a single deepwater FPSO installation — placing heavier demands on deck space, winch capacity, chain handling gear, and crane capability.

Market Timing and Growth Outlook

ABS projects that demand for capable AHTSs and MPSVs will strengthen from the late 2020s, with shortages in some vessel classes potentially surfacing as early as 2029 if offshore oil and gas activity stays strong. Global installed floating wind capacity is expected to grow from roughly 270 MW in 2025 to about 5 GW by 2035 and beyond 14 GW by 2040, led by Europe, with South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan driving growth in Asia and commercial projects also anticipated in the U.S., Canada, and Brazil during the 2030s.

The report recommends that vessel owners assess whether current assets can be adapted for floating wind service, or whether new purpose-built tonnage will be required to capture the emerging opportunity, noting that early investment in vessel capability and mooring expertise is likely to be advantageous as the market expands.

Apeks view — For owners weighing whether to adapt existing tonnage or commit to purpose-built vessels, this is a capital allocation decision that deserves more than a market forecast. Deck space, winch capacity, and mooring-handling gear need to be verified against the specific demands floating wind imposes, not assumed from oil and gas service history. Decisions made now on fleet readiness will be judged years later against actual project requirements, so the underlying technical assessment matters as much as the demand curve itself.