The Global Floating Offshore Wind Industry Is Off To The Races

The global floating offshore wind industry is experiencing significant growth despite political challenges in the United States, particularly under the Trump administration, which has sought to hinder domestic wind and solar sectors. Floating offshore wind technology offers distinct advantages over conventional fixed-bottom turbines by enabling deployment in deeper waters where wind resources are stronger and more consistent. This expands potential offshore wind development areas, including regions previously unsuitable due to depth constraints. Innovations such as low-profile turbines also address visual impact concerns from coastal communities, enhancing the technology’s appeal. A notable recent development is Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) receiving the Approval in Principle (AiP) from Lloyd’s Register for its SnapWind Float platform, announced at Gastech 2025 in Milan. This floating substructure is designed to unlock deeper water sites and accommodate higher-capacity turbines, optimized for areas with limited skilled labor, heavy lifting equipment, and workspace. Korean Register and Bureau Veritas have also endorsed the design, highlighting its cost competitiveness and suitability for next-generation 15MW