Engineers from Norway develop a submersible barge to lift structures of 2,500 tons without relying on the world's largest crane ships, aiming to reduce the costs of offshore wind turbine installation.

Engineers from Norway develop a submersible barge to lift structures of 2,500 tons without relying on the world’s largest crane ships, aiming to reduce the costs of offshore wind turbine installation.

Written by Andriely Medeiros de Araújo

Published on 13/06/2026 at 20:28

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New technology may reduce the dependence on large cranes in the installation of offshore wind turbines.

The installation of offshore wind turbines could undergo a significant transformation in the coming years. Engineers from Norway have completed tests of a new solution that eliminates the need for the largest crane-equipped vessels, currently considered essential for moving structures weighing up to 2,500 tons. The proposal aims to reduce costs and expand the available options for offshore wind energy projects.

The advancement comes at a time of expansion in energy generation in the maritime environment. Since the foundations of the turbines need to be positioned up to 60 meters deep, the operation typically relies on specialized vessels capable of lifting extremely heavy loads. Today, there are only five such ships worldwide.

How does the new solution replace the use of cranes?

Instead of investing in increasingly larger lifting equipment, the researchers decided to take a different path.

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Tests indicate viability for future projects

The experiments were conducted in Trondheim, Norway. During the evaluations, the submersible platform simultaneously transported two substructures intended for offshore wind turbines. The results were considered positive by the researchers.

Additionally, the vessel’s behavior in wave conditions showed performance similar to that predicted by the computational models used before the tests.

New technology can reduce the dependence on large cranes in the installation of offshore wind turbines. Source: Sintef.

Among the points analyzed were:

Simultaneous transportation of two structures;
Stability during navigation;
Load positioning capability;
Feasibility of vertical lifting of foundations.

The data obtained reinforced the possibility of practical application of the technology in real operations.

Smaller crane can take over part of the operations

One of the main advantages pointed out by the team is the reduction in dependence on large lifting ships. According to Mateusz Graczyk, researcher at the Foundation for Scientific and Industrial Research (Sintef), the load can be transported without the need for a large ship equipped with a crane.

The expert explained that the use of submersible barges allows structures to be moved by flotation or by smaller and more accessible vessels. The change can represent significant savings for the sector, as large crane ships have limited availability and high operational costs.

The challenge faced by the industry is not only the distance from the coast but also the size of the components used. Each substructure intended for offshore turbines can reach up to 2,500 tons. Furthermore, these bases need to be installed at depths of up to 60 meters.

In this scenario, finding alternatives to the traditional use of cranes has become a priority for researchers and companies related to renewable energy. The new technology emerges precisely to meet this growing demand.

Next steps of the project

Despite the positive results, the development has not yet been completed. Researchers are now working on improving the unloading stages of the structures and the final positioning on the seabed.

The goal is to ensure that the entire process can be executed safely and efficiently on a commercial scale. Meanwhile, Norway maintains ambitious targets for the expansion of offshore wind energy. The country aims to provide areas capable of producing 30,000 MW of maritime energy by 2040.

If the next tests confirm the initial results, the new solution could pave the way for operations less dependent on large crane vessels, expanding the sector’s growth possibilities and reducing the costs associated with installing turbines offshore.

With information from the site Inovação Tecnológica

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Engineers from Norway develop a submersible barge to lift structures of 2,500 tons without relying on the world’s largest crane ships, aiming to reduce the costs of offshore wind turbine installation.

New technology may reduce the dependence on large cranes in the installation of offshore wind turbines.

How does the new solution replace the use of cranes?

Tests indicate viability for future projects

Smaller crane can take over part of the operations

Next steps of the project

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Engineers from Norway develop a submersible barge to lift structures of 2,500 tons without relying on the world’s largest crane ships, aiming to reduce the costs of offshore wind turbine installation.

New technology may reduce the dependence on large cranes in the installation of offshore wind turbines.

How does the new solution replace the use of cranes?

Tests indicate viability for future projects

Smaller crane can take over part of the operations

Next steps of the project

Engineers want to carve through Africa with a giant canal to bring water from the world’s second-largest river to a dying lake on the edge of the Sahara Desert that has already lost 90% of its water.

A giant brown band visible from space, approximately 8,850 kilometers long, connected Africa to America in the Atlantic Ocean, and satellites revealed that it is neither land nor pollution, but the largest accumulation of seaweed in the world, which broke records in 2025.

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In just one cast, fishermen are surprised to capture 14,096 mullets in Bombinhas and close a historic season with 58,000 fish; scene recorded in the Santa Catarina paradise marks the last day of the 2026 season.

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