Posted on August 20, 2025
Rising from its current value of around £6.8 billion to £12.5bn over the next five years, Ireland-based ResearchAndMarkets predicts a significant rise in demand for the maritime industries focused on designing, constructing, deploying and operating vessels used in offshore wind development.
Those that are equipped for the installation, maintenance and support of wind turbine foundations, towers, nacelles, blades and subsea cables will be needed for the global renewable energy build-out, which is front and foremost for many governments’ net-zero goals.
These decarbonisation commitments, combined with regional fleet development incentives, will lead to a compound annual growth rate of 10.9pc despite high capital costs.
And with the advent of larger, next-generation turbines – some exceeding 20MW – more advanced vessels are required in leading markets such as Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America.
Wind turbine installation vessels, heavy lift vessels, cable-laying vessels, service operation vessels and jack-up barges equipped with state-of-the-art technologies such as dynamic positioning systems, high-capacity cranes, motion-compensated gangways and specialised deck layouts will make up the bulk of new orders.
The vessel construction timeline, often ranging from 18 to 36 months, also influences early demand signals and long-term planning, creating opportunities for shipbuilders and marine engineering firms.
A ResearchAndMarkets spokesperson said: “Regional policies mandating the use of locally compliant vessels – such as the Jones Act in the US – are fostering demand for region-specific fleet development, which further drives market expansion.
“Altogether, the rising scale of offshore wind investments globally, coupled with evolving technological requirements, is significantly contributing to the demand for advanced offshore wind construction vessels, making this a foundational driver for long-term market growth.”
Global investment in offshore wind energy exceeds £44.5bn annually and continues to grow steadily, with 500GW of operational capacity projected by 2050.
For more information curated from over 275 offshore wind turbine models, including dimensions and wind speeds, click here.
