WindEurope Warns of Investment Gap in Ports and Vessels for Offshore Wind Expansion

Europe must invest an additional EUR 6.4 billion in port infrastructure and new vessels to meet its offshore wind ambitions beyond 2030, according to a new report by WindEurope. While current capacity allows the continent to install and maintain around 10 GW of offshore wind annually, this will need to rise to 15 GW per year post-2030 to stay on track with its climate and energy security targets.

Investment Gap Threatens Offshore Wind Rollout

WindEurope highlights that the maritime supply chain, particularly port facilities and vessels, is a critical bottleneck in scaling up offshore wind. 

Over the past three years, Europe has invested EUR 6.7 billion in this space, including EUR 4.4 billion in port infrastructure and EUR 2.3 billion in vessels. But additional EUR 6.4 billion is required - EUR 2.4 billion for ports and EUR 4 billion for vessels.

“Europe aims to grow its offshore wind capacity from 36.6 GW today to 84 GW by 2030,” WindEurope stated. “But one of the most pressing challenges is the lack of timely investment in vessel manufacturing and port infrastructure.”

EU Ports Strategy: A Critical Policy Lever

The European Commission’s upcoming EU Ports Strategy is expected to play a key role in scaling offshore wind infrastructure. WindEurope urges action on three fronts to unlock the supply chain.

First, the EU must mobilise funding by expanding tools like the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and boosting the European Investment Bank’s support for port upgrades.

Second, it must streamline permitting, which can currently delay port upgrades for up to 10 years. WindEurope recommends designating major offshore wind ports as “net-zero acceleration valleys” and classifying them as projects of overriding public interest to fast-track approvals.

Third, EU-level planning is essential. A coordinated map of port capacity and offshore wind needs will guide smart investments and balanced growth across regions.

Ports are central to offshore wind - they handle equipment transport, storage, assembly, and maintenance operations. Their spatial capacity is especially critical for floating wind, which requires large-scale assembly. Strengthening ports is vital for meeting post-2030 offshore wind targets.

EU Maritime Industrial Strategy: Shipbuilding in Focus

WindEurope is urging the EU to strengthen its Maritime Industrial Strategy to support the growing offshore wind fleet. With larger 15+ MW turbines on the horizon, the current fleet of around 80 specialised vessels will need significant upgrades.

At least EUR 4 billion in new vessel investments is required to meet future demand. WindEurope recommends the strategy should provide a clear investment roadmap for shipyards and retrofits, and streamline permitting for vessel construction. In addition, the report calls for prioritising decarbonising maritime operations, which contribute up to 20 percent of offshore wind lifecycle emissions.

WindEurope also suggests that the EU must also scale up zero-emission fuels like electricity, ammonia, and hydrogen, and offer funding to retrofit existing vessels or build new zero-emission ships. These steps are essential to future-proof the offshore wind supply chain.