ZL Offshore carries out towing operations for the world's largest floating wind power platform. [Photo provided by the interviewee]

Pingtan, China, August 11, witnessed a milestone achievement as ZL Offshore Engineering Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as ZL Offshore), a local enterprise, embarked on the towing mission of the world's first and largest floating wind turbine platform, OceanX. Departing from Guangzhou Port, the platform is destined to arrive at the offshore wind farm in Yangjiang, Guangdong, three days later, traversing a journey of 191 nautical miles, thereby setting a new national record in the "three super" categories of towing—super-height, super-size, and super-width.

The OceanX boasting a total installed capacity of 16.6 megawatts, comprises two 8.3-megawatt wind turbine sets arranged in a V shape, sharing a common floating foundation. With a blade tip reaching 219 meters in height and a maximum aerial width of approximately 369 meters, this dual-rotor floating turbine stands as the globe's most powerful of its kind. Designed for deployment in waters exceeding 35 meters deep, it is capable of generating approximately 54 million kWh of electricity annually, catering to the annual electricity needs of 30,000 three-person households.

To ensure the success of this intricate towing operation, ZL Offshore dispatched a formidable fleet, consisting of one large-scale primary tugboat (ZL 18000) accompanied by ten additional tugboats, emergency engineering vessels, and diving support teams. According to Vice President Gao Ling, "This project marks an unprecedented challenge, requiring an unprecedented number of towing vessels navigating complex waterways over extended periods. The demand for technical expertise and favorable weather conditions was immense, and we had no precedent to follow."

To tackle these challenges, ZL Offshore collaborated with 23 relevant authorities, engaging expert panels in numerous consultations to refine every aspect of the operation plan. Furthermore, the company engaged Wuhan University of Technology to produce a towing simulation feasibility study, aiming for a flawless execution marked by "zero accidents, zero injuries, and zero losses."

The commencement of this towing mission underscores ZL Offshore's formidable strides in offshore towing engineering, establishing a benchmark for domestic "super-height, super-size, and super-width" towing operations in the wind power sector. Chairman Chen Ruixi expressed pride in the company's involvement, stating, "As a Pingtan enterprise, we are proud to contribute to this endeavor, showcasing our technological prowess, operational experience, and project management acumen. This achievement provides optimal solutions for future towing of ultra-large offshore wind equipment, advancing our nation's pursuit of carbon neutrality."

The choice of ZL Offshore by Mingyang Smart Energy Group Co., Ltd., the developer of OceanX, was a testament to the former's reputation and capabilities. Since its inception in 1977, ZL Offshore has evolved into a leading private enterprise in China's marine economy. Its core competencies encompass marine renewable energy engineering, emergency salvage operations, and oceanic infrastructure construction, with notable contributions to national projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Pingtan Strait Railway-cum-Road Bridge.

The ongoing collaboration with Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries to develop the world-leading ZL 3500 self-propelled jack-up offshore wind turbine installation platform underscores Zhengli Marine's commitment to technological innovation and its role in advancing China's marine engineering capabilities.