Before the Turbines Float, the Ports Decide

BOA and BrestPort partner to refine floating wind launches as ports emerge as key players in Europe’s offshore expansion

13 Jan 2026

Europe’s floating offshore wind industry is placing increasing weight on ports, as developers prepare to move from pilot schemes to commercial projects. A new cooperation agreement between marine logistics group BOA and France’s BrestPort underlines how launch operations are becoming a strategic concern for the sector.

Floating wind technology has advanced quickly in recent years, particularly in turbine and platform design. Attention is now shifting to the practical challenge of assembling large floating structures on land and moving them safely into open water. These launches involve complex, high-risk operations, where delays or failures can have significant knock-on effects for project schedules.

Under the agreement, BOA and BrestPort will work together to improve how floating platforms are launched from port facilities. The focus is not on headline cost savings, but on technical coordination, safety and operational reliability. BOA brings experience in transporting and handling oversized offshore structures, while BrestPort has invested in infrastructure designed to support offshore renewable energy projects.

The partners aim to establish clearer and more repeatable launch procedures that can be used across different developments. Industry observers say such standardisation is increasingly important as the number of floating wind projects grows.

Port readiness is now widely seen as a limiting factor for the sector. Analysts note that offshore success depends as much on dependable onshore systems as on advances at sea. While the financial impact of improved launch processes is hard to quantify, smoother operations are expected to reduce schedule risk and support project financing.

For developers, cooperation of this kind can help manage early-stage complexity. Logistics and installation account for a large share of execution risk, even if the cost implications vary by project. Ports with a track record in floating wind launches are likely to be better placed to attract future developments.

The partnership also reflects confidence in floating wind’s longer-term role in Europe’s energy mix. As projects move into deeper waters where fixed foundations are less viable, floating platforms are expected to become more important. Ports capable of supporting these activities could benefit from sustained industrial demand.

Technical and regulatory challenges remain, including adapting launch methods to different platform designs and meeting strict safety and environmental standards. Still, agreements such as that between BOA and BrestPort point to steady progress, as port logistics move to the centre of Europe’s floating wind strategy.