Odfjell Oceanwind has obtained a Basic Design Approval from DNV for the Deepsea Star semi-submersible floating wind foundation. The approval includes the use of Siemens Gamesa’s SG 14-236 DD 15 MW turbine and is applicable to a wide range of offshore environments. The company said the assessment followed the DNV-RU-OU-0512 process and confirmed that the design meets the DNV-ST-0119 standard for steel structure requirements, corrosion protection, stability, mooring, and marine and electrical systems.

According to DNV’s Sille Grjotheim, the approval builds on earlier concept validation and has been supported by additional independent analyses. The Deepsea Star concept was introduced in February 2023 as a column-stabilised steel semi-submersible with a centre tower designed for wind turbines of 15 MW and larger.

Odfjell Oceanwind stated that the BDA provides certainty for safety regulators, banks, insurance companies, developers and suppliers, adding that this supports the bankability of the design. In February 2024, the company and Prodtex created the joint venture Windsteel Technologies to mass-produce floating wind foundations, including Deepsea Star.

In March 2024, NOK 2 billion (approximately EUR 175 million) in state funding was awarded to the GoliatVIND demonstration project, which plans to deploy five 15 MW turbines on Deepsea Star foundations. This year, Odfjell Oceanwind acquired Ørsted’s 80 per cent share in the 100 MW Salamander floating wind project in Scotland, where the Deepsea Star foundation has been selected as the preferred technology.