Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Fugro Singapore Marine and Fugro Japan, both of which are subsidiaries of Netherlands-based Fugro, on an offshore geotechnical investigation vessel* business related to offshore wind power generation.
NYK and Fugro will now start a joint study for operation of an offshore geotechnical investigation vessel and the provision of a geotechnical service that would contribute to the success of offshore wind projects off Japan.
Before constructing an offshore wind power plant, it is necessary to collect geological data in the sea area when considering the basic design of the wind turbines and the layout of the power plant. An offshore geotechnical investigation vessel can conduct a submarine ground survey by performing cone penetration tests, which play a vital role in collecting data to characterise seafloor and sub-seafloor ground conditions.
In response to the rapidly increasing demand for undersea ground surveys, a shortage of offshore geotechnical investigation vessels has become apparent in Japan, so NYK has decided to cooperate with Fugro to address this issue.
NYK and Fugro will consider joint operation of an offshore geotechnical investigation vessel for the offshore wind power generation business in Japan and discuss the possibility of collaborating in the domestic expansion of geotechnical services.