Fugro Strengthens Foothold in Taiwan Offshore Wind Services Market

Fugro said it has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with International Ocean Vessel Technical Consultant (IOVTEC) to boost its involvement in the emerging offshore wind farm market in Taiwan, following joint projects in the region’s oil and gas sector.

Under this MoU, Fugro and IOVTEC will also install a lidar buoy to collect wind resource data off the Taiwanese coast in January 2018. In addition to its surveying activity, IOVTEC will provide logistic and operational support to Fugro’s offshore metocean projects.

The agreement will see the two companies cooperate on marine survey projects in the waters surrounding Taiwan, with IOVTEC expanding survey services in the country and Fugro providing fit-for-purpose technology, equipment and expertise.

“IOVTEC brings to the MoU its specialist skills in domestic hydrographic and bathymetric surveys for coastal mapping, government port and harbour agencies, dredging and marine contractors and offshore wind farm developers in Taiwan,” explains Jerry Paisley, Fugro’s director for Marine Site Characterisation in the Asia Pacific region. “Fugro’s offshore wind experience around the world and IOVTEC’s local skills make for an ideal partnership in Taiwan’s rapidly developing offshore wind sector.”

To remind, in 2016 Fugro carried out the first geotechnical and geophysical survey and metocean study project in Taiwanese waters for an offshore wind developer for engineering design and environmental impact assessment purposes.