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The giant foundation of the BorWin6 platform was transported and loaded in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, with 216 axle lines, SPMTs, and winches, while Mammoet is also preparing in 2026 the 17,000-ton superstructure for a new stage of offshore wind energy in the German North Sea.
The giant foundation of the offshore HVDC BorWin6 platform completed a decisive stage at the Jebel Ali shipyard in the United Arab Emirates. Mammoet carried out the transport, loading, and anchoring of the jacket-type structure, weighing 5,461 tons, destined for the BorWin kappa converter platform in the German North Sea.
According to Mammoet, the progress occurred within the BorWin6 project, developed by TenneT and delivered by McDermott International. The offshore connection will have 980 megawatts in high-voltage direct current and was planned to transmit wind energy from the German North Sea to the mainland, strengthening the power grid and supporting sustainable generation.
Jacket-type foundation left the shipyard after critical loading stage
The transported structure is a jacket-type foundation, a model used to support offshore platforms in marine environments. In the case of BorWin6, this base will be responsible for supporting the BorWin kappa converter platform, an important piece for bringing offshore wind energy to the onshore grid.
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The stage completed in Jebel Ali involved not only the movement of the load but also the loading onto the ship and the anchoring for the journey to Europe. Weighing 5,461 tons, the giant foundation required weight control, stability, and positioning at each phase of the operation.
Mammoet used 216 axle lines to move the structure
To transport the foundation, Mammoet used 216 axle lines of SPMTs, the self-propelled modular transporters used in large-scale industrial loads. The set was moved by four power units, responsible for providing the necessary force to move and direct the structure.
This type of equipment allows the load to be distributed over many axles, reducing risks during transport. In an operation of this size, the challenge is not just to move tons, but to control every meter of the movement without compromising the structure.
Winches ensured safety during activities at the quay
In addition to the SPMTs, the operation included Mammoet winches to maintain the safety of the mooring during critical activities at the quay. This detail is relevant because loading an offshore structure involves transitioning between ground, ship, and attachment points.
After loading, the support structure and its foundation piles were secured to allow the vessel’s departure. From this stage, the project moves to Europe, where the foundation will be integrated into the next phase of the offshore platform.
BorWin6 is part of the expansion of offshore wind energy
The BorWin6 connection was planned to integrate energy generated in the German North Sea into the continental grid. The system will have a capacity of 980 megawatts and will use high-voltage direct current, a common technology in projects that need to transmit large volumes of energy over long distances.
The giant foundation of BorWin6, therefore, is not an isolated piece. It is part of a chain that involves offshore generation, electrical conversion, maritime transport, offshore installation, and connection to the onshore transmission system.
17,000-ton superstructure will be the next stage of the project
After the foundation loading, Mammoet’s focus shifts to the superstructure of the BorWin6 platform. The forecast is to complete the assembly and weighing of this structure, which is expected to reach approximately 17,000 tons, by 2026.
This next stage raises the project’s complexity level. If the giant foundation already required 216 axle lines, the superstructure represents an even greater load and demands a lifting method specific to large-scale industrial modules.
Mega Jack System will be used to lift large modules
To handle the superstructure, Mammoet is expected to use the Mega Jack 5200 system. The solution was designed to allow large modules to be constructed and lifted in a single piece, reducing the need to divide very heavy structures into smaller blocks.
According to project information, the system has already been used in completed lifts of over 40,000 tons. In the case of BorWin6, it will be used to provide control and stability to the lifting, weighing, and preparation of the superstructure for load-out by skidding.
Operation shows logistical weight of energy transition
Offshore wind energy projects are often remembered for the turbines at sea, but the infrastructure behind the transmission also requires gigantic operations. The converter platform, jacket-type foundation, transport systems, and specialized vessels are part of the engineering needed to bring energy to the continent.
The operation in Jebel Ali shows this less visible side of the energy transition. Before impacting the power grid, an offshore structure needs to undergo heavy transport, assembly, loading, anchoring, and international relocation.
Giant foundation anticipates a new phase of BorWin6
The completion of the loading of the giant foundation marks an important advance for the BorWin6 offshore platform. The structure is already prepared to leave the United Arab Emirates heading to Europe, while the team remains focused on assembling the 17,000-ton superstructure.
Now the question remains: do operations of this scale show that offshore wind energy relies as much on heavy engineering as on clean technology? Do you think megaprojects like BorWin6 accelerate the energy transition or reveal how much it still requires gigantic constructions? Share your opinion.
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