Construction of Floating Offshore Structures

Mission Statement/Objectives

The mission of this Task Group is to establish comprehensive construction methodology guidelines for Floating Offshore Structures (FOS), spanning the entire lifecycle from fabrication and transportation to offshore installation and mooring integration. Recognizing the rapid growth of the floating wind and offshore infrastructure markets, the TG aims to bridge the gap between theoretical design and field execution by identifying, documenting, and disseminating global best practices for the engineering community.

• Construction methodologies define best practices for the yard fabrication, heavy lifting, and assembly of various floating substructures (Semi-sub, TLP, Spar).
• Transportation & Installation (T&I) establish technical guidelines for safe wet-towing, offshore positioning, and structural monitoring during high-risk installation phases.
• Mooring & cable Integration systematize the execution processes for permanent mooring deployment and dynamic power cable hook-ups.
• Constructability integrates "lessons learned" from field execution into early-stage design to improve efficiency and reduce offshore operational risks.
• Technical reports produce a "State-of-the-Art" report summarizing global practices to harmonize international standards for floating offshore construction

Scope & Limitation

The Task Group adopts an integrated perspective to bridge the gap between structural design and field execution.

• Advanced design methodologies that prioritize ease of fabrication, modular assembly, and reduced offshore installation risks.
• Best practices for manufacturing steel and concrete floaters, including heavy-lifting sequences and yard-to-quay movements.
• Technical protocols for wet/dry towing, on-site positioning, and structural integrity management during transit.
• Execution and design considerations for the seamless integration of mooring systems, dynamic power cables, and turbine components.
• Documentation of lessons learned from global pilot projects (e.g., Ulsan FOWF) to facilitate the transition to commercial-scale deployment.
• To maintain a focused and productive output, the TG defines its boundaries as follows.
• While the TG welcomes diverse technical contributions, the primary focus is on applied engineering rather than purely abstract or academic theories.
• Purely structural or hydro-aero-elastic modelling is welcome if it provides direct insights into construction feasibility, installation safety, or operational efficiency.
• Legal, financial, and environmental permitting processes are outside the technical scope of this TG.

Expected Project Output

The Task Group aims to deliver a series of high-impact contributions to the IABSE community and the offshore industry.

• Organization of dedicated sessions at IABSE Incheon 2026 and subsequent symposiums to facilitate knowledge exchange among global experts.
• A set of practical recommendations for naval architects and structural engineers to enhance the constructability and safety of floating systems.
• A curated collection of "Lessons Learned" from international FOWT projects (e.g., Ulsan FOWT, Hywind, Kincardine) focusing on fabrication and installation challenges.
• Publication of technical papers or a special issue summarizing the TG’s findings and innovative methodologies.
• Semi-annual virtual workshops to present progress updates and engage with a broader network of offshore engineering professionals.

Start Date: January 2026

Target Date of Completion: December 2029

Chair

Joonmo Choung, South Korea

Vice Chair

Members

If you are interested to join Task Group 4.5 then please contact the Chair, Dr. Joonmo Choung, heroeswise2@gmail.com