Kongsberg Maritime unveils simplified mooring systems for floating wind

Building on its patent-pending integrated tensioning and remote pull-in technologies, the company is now focused on reducing cost, complexity and environmental impact across the mooring system lifecycle.

The latest developments centre on minimising mooring components and enabling future layouts that avoid active tensioning equipment in permanent systems.

The new solution from the company provides a controlled, vessel-based connection method that compensates relative motions between the floater and vessel. Mooring lines can be safely installed within an expanded weather window, utilising tensioners such as vessel tensioners or pull-in tensioners/connectors. This simplifies installation, eliminates top chain segments, and supports efficient connection and disconnection.

A key benefit is the removal of winches and the need for floater-based personnel, cutting topside weight, reducing maintenance demands, and improving safety. Kongsberg Maritime is also refining its tensioner technology to deliver precise, reliable mooring line tensioning.

When combined with the company’s cross-tensioning method, high loads can be applied to remove construction stretch in fibre ropes without relying on bollard pull. This reduces propulsion use and engine power demand. Quantified fuel savings are pending, but dependent on the specific mooring system in the range of 70-80% for tensioning operations, due to reduced propulsion and engine power use.

Kongsberg Maritime programme manager offshore energy Arild Ånensen said, “Our goal is to streamline offshore floater installations by simplifying every step of the process. By reducing components and introducing smarter connection and tensioning methods, we’re helping operators cut costs while improving safety and reliability.”

The company noted that while these innovations support Kongsberg Maritime’s strategy to support the industrialisation of the floating offshore wind sector, they are fully applicable to other offshore sectors, including oil and gas.