Lloyd’s Register has awarded Approval in Principle (AIP) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for its new floating offshore wind turbine platform, SnapWind Float, the classification society announced at the Gastech 2025 conference in Milan.
The design is intended to enable offshore wind development in deeper waters and regions with limited infrastructure. SHI said the concept offers a scalable solution tailored for markets where access to workforce, heavy lifting equipment, and large assembly areas is restricted.
“The SnapWind Float is designed to meet the challenges of offshore wind developers who require efficient and commercially viable solutions,” said Hae-Ki Jang, chief technology officer at SHI. “Receiving AIP from Lloyd’s Register is an important milestone that validates our technology and supports the next stage of offshore wind development worldwide.”
Lloyd’s Register conducted a full assessment of the platform, reviewing its design in line with classification rules and international standards. The approval confirms the feasibility and safety of the concept, allowing SHI to advance toward commercial deployment.
“The SnapWind Float demonstrates significant progress toward establishing floating wind as a commercially sustainable solution at scale,” said Sean van der Post, global offshore business director at Lloyd’s Register.
Unveiled during Gastech 2025, the SnapWind Float is part of SHI’s strategy to expand its presence in the floating offshore wind sector, as demand increases for clean energy solutions that can be deployed beyond shallow coastal waters.
