Dong Fang Offshore has partnered with Apex Aviation to launch Taiwan’s first self-operated offshore wind helicopter fleet, marking a major step forward in the country’s offshore wind turbine maintenance capabilities.
The collaboration, which includes Dong Fang Offshore’s completion of a capital investment in Apex Aviation, aims to improve the efficiency and speed of offshore wind turbine maintenance. This integrated sea-air operational system, the first of its kind in Taiwan, will deploy helicopters to complement existing vessel-based operations, enhancing maintenance capabilities and emergency response times.
Polin Chen, Chief Executive of Dong Fang Offshore, commented, “We are committed to developing breakthrough solutions. With Taiwan now ranked fifth globally in offshore wind turbine installations, a well-developed and efficient logistics support system will be a key competitive advantage for the industry.” He added, “The launch of this integrated sea-air maintenance model, which has been two years in the making, will open a new chapter for Taiwan’s offshore wind O&M sector.”
As Taiwan’s offshore wind industry expands along the western coast, the need for fast and efficient maintenance is growing. The new fleet will support a range of tasks, including personnel transport, emergency medical evacuations, equipment inspections, and routine maintenance, all designed to improve operational efficiency, safety, and responsiveness.
Through the partnership with Apex Aviation, Dong Fang Offshore will combine aviation expertise with offshore wind experience to create a unified sea-air O&M platform. The first helicopter is expected to enter service in the fourth quarter of 2025.
