Van Oord has begun preparations at the Port of Ronne, Denmark, to ship monopiles for an offshore wind project in the Baltic Sea. This extensive operation is expected to continue into 2025 and will involve increased local labor and the engagement of local subcontractors.
One of the initial tasks at the port has been to establish sandbanks that will serve as foundations for the massive structures. Jeppe la Cour, commercial director of the Port of Ronne, noted the scale of the foundations, stating, “The foundations that are at the port this time are huge and very heavy steel structures that look like oversized straws. They are about 100 meters long and almost 10 meters in diameter and are knocked into the seabed to provide stability to the tower, turbine, and blades that will be placed on top.”
The monopiles will be transported to Ronne, where they will be stored strategically to minimize delays during the shipping process. La Cour explained that the construction of the sandbanks will necessitate local labor and the use of locally sourced sand and stones.
He remarked, “We know that there are ongoing conversations with companies about that part of the work, but there will also be a lot of logistics on site, and this provides good opportunities for local companies to get involved if they want to.”
La Cour emphasized the capabilities of the local workforce on Bornholm, stating, “The local workforce has repeatedly shown that it has the necessary skills and abilities to deliver high-quality results. At the same time, having good local suppliers strengthens the customers' opportunities regarding housing and travel logistics.”
