GEODIS has completed a major milestone in the floating offshore wind sector, coordinating the transport and float-off of three 2,500-ton substructures as part of the “Les Éoliennes Flottantes du Golfe du Lion” (EFGL) pilot project off the coast of southern France.
The operation, carried out in partnership with Eiffage Métal and using designs from Principle Power, took place over the course of six weeks between April and early June at the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille.
The massive turbine foundations were moved from the Eiffage Darsette yard to the Carfos terminal in Fos-sur-Mer in a carefully planned and executed operation.
To execute the float-offs, GEODIS mobilized a semi-submersible barge, specifically selected for its suitability. The process involved a carefully sequenced ballasting operation to ground the barge and allow the floaters to be safely launched into the water. Despite strict weather requirements, the float-offs were conducted efficiently and without incident.
“The EFGL project, with 30 MW of capacity, represents nearly 10% of the operational floating wind turbines currently installed worldwide, so we are very proud to have contributed to its success”, commented Nicolas Bonnier, Global Manager Offshore Wind Solution, Project Logistics at GEODIS.
