The first massive foundations for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, the largest offshore wind initiative in the United States, have been shipped from Esbjerg Port in Denmark. The port’s unique infrastructure and capacity, including specialised cranes for heavy lifts, play a crucial role in facilitating projects of this scale.

Precision and collaboration in action

On a brisk morning at Esbjerg Port, a 60-metre-tall, yellow steel jacket foundation, weighing approximately 2,445 tonnes, was carefully transported to a waiting vessel. The foundation, produced at the port, marks a key milestone in the CVOW project, located 40 kilometres off the coast of Virginia Beach, USA.

Transporting the massive structure required meticulous coordination. Heavy-duty transport vehicles carried the foundation from the production site to the dockside, where a team of technicians and logistics experts guided it onto the vessel. After thorough safety checks, the foundation was secured and began its transatlantic journey.

“This operation showcases our capacity to manage heavy and complex constructions efficiently. Our infrastructure, combined with careful planning and strong collaboration between technicians, logisticians, and operators, ensures a seamless process,” said Jesper Bank, Chief Commercial Officer of Esbjerg Port.

The jacket foundation will support an offshore transformer station for Dominion Energy’s CVOW project. Once completed, the project will feature 176 wind turbines with a total capacity of 2.6 GW, capable of powering 660,000 households and reducing up to five million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

Global collaboration powers green innovation

The CVOW project reflects the importance of international cooperation and robust supply chains. The production of the jackets involved contributions from industry leaders such as CS Wind Offshore, which crafted the foundations to withstand harsh Atlantic conditions, and SEMCO Maritime, which provided critical electrical systems and inter-array cables connecting the turbines to the grid.

“Projects like this demonstrate how Esbjerg Port can offer the necessary infrastructure and capacity to support large and complex operations. We are proud to contribute to the strong partnerships that make initiatives like CVOW possible globally,” added Jesper Bank.

Esbjerg Port continues to establish itself as a key logistics hub for the offshore wind industry. The port’s ongoing development and investment in infrastructure enable it to accommodate even larger vessels and projects, cementing its role as a cornerstone of the global energy transition.

Discover the case: The gateway to offshore wind energy in Northern Europe