Denmark: North Sea offshore wind regs need harmonizing

Written by Nick Blenkey
image description

JANUARY 15, 2016 — A report prepared for the Danish Maritime Authority by DNV GL sets out the regulations and industry standards applicable to maritime operations in the offshore wind sectors of Denmark, the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands.

The Danish Maritime Authority says that harmonized regulations in the maritime area could contribute to the competitiveness of shipowners and eliminate any unnecessary administrative burdens.

The report maps the safety regulations and standards that apply when approving ships as well as crew qualifications in the four nations’ offshore wind sectors. It report shows that, in several areas, the countries have a common understanding of safety standards, but points to the need to harmonize, in particular, the safety standards applicable to offshore service craft for the carriage of wind turbine technicians.

There is also a need to harmonize the industry’s own standards, especially with regard to crews and wind turbine technicians, for example in connection with the transfer of persons between ship and wind turbine, as well as health examinations and safety training of wind turbine technicians.

On the basis of the report, the Danish Maritime Authority will now engage in dialogue with the industry in order to consider possible measures that could improve the framework conditions of the offshore wind sector through a higher degree of harmonization of the regulations and standards applicable to the offshore wind sector in the North Sea.

Read the report HERE

Categories: Renewables Tags: , , ,

Leave a Reply