One early morning this week, off the coasts of Rhode Island and New York, indications of the emerging wind industry were evident in the ocean waters.
Massive steel tubes rose from the water, patiently awaiting the arrival of ships to transport the turbines that would generate electricity powered by the wind.
Amongst the scene, a battleship-gray vessel roamed the area. However, amidst the growing momentum of offshore wind development in the United States, concerns loomed over the potential exclusion of American marine companies and mariners.
Aaron Smith, the President of the Offshore Marine Service Association, anxiously surveyed the horizon through his binoculars.
His intention was to determine whether the ships servicing the new wind farms were utilizing foreign-flagged vessels, rather than employing U.S.-made ships with American crews.
The fear of being left behind in this burgeoning sector of the maritime industry was palpable. The offshore wind industry in the United States was gathering steam, presenting significant opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
However, for these opportunities to be fully realized, it was essential that American companies and mariners be given a fair chance to participate.
Smith understood the importance of maintaining a level playing field. He recognized that utilizing U.S.-made ships with American crews would not only support domestic businesses and workers but also contribute to the overall stability and resilience of the industry.
By fostering a robust domestic supply chain, the United States could reduce its reliance on foreign entities and enhance its energy independence.
As he continued his observation, Smith hoped to spot signs of progress. He yearned to witness the sight of U.S.-made ships, manned by American crews, efficiently servicing the offshore wind farms.
This would not only signify a step forward for the industry but also ensure that American companies and mariners were active participants in this exciting new chapter of renewable energy development.
The future of the offshore wind industry in the United States hung in the balance, and Smith was determined to play his part in ensuring that American businesses and workers were not left adrift.
The Offshore Marine Service Association expresses strong support for the offshore wind industry, with numerous member companies actively involved in it.
According to Smith, this collective effort aims to secure their future by creating job opportunities and attracting investments over the next few decades.
To achieve its ambitious targets of significantly reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and combating climate change, the United States may require approximately 2,000 highly efficient turbines for offshore wind production.
The Enforcer embarked on multiple trips to the location where Ørsted, a Danish energy company, is presently developing the South Fork Wind project in collaboration with utility Eversource.
This wind farm is anticipated to become the first commercial-scale facility of its kind in the United States.
As Smith approached the site on Tuesday, he observed a variety of vessels, including a large crane ship flying the Cyprus flag, smaller vessels with Belgian flags, and U.S.
fishing and offshore supply vessels situated close to the turbine foundations. Notably, the Associated Press was the sole media outlet present during this observation.
The U.S. fleet currently lacks large specialized ships for offshore wind installations. However, there are some foreign-flagged vessels operating along the East Coast in wind development areas, including tugs and smaller supply ships. U.S. ship operators have stated that they possess similar vessels capable of performing this work.
In response to this, Ørsted, a company involved in offshore wind projects, has revealed that 75% of the vessels supporting the South Fork Wind offshore construction are U.S.-flagged.
These vessels include barges, tugs, crew transport vessels, and fishing vessels responsible for safety monitoring and marine mammal protection.
It should be noted, however, that the larger U.S.-flagged vessels specifically designed for offshore wind installations are not yet constructed.
Nevertheless, Ørsted has ensured that the installation vessels for the South Fork Wind project have American union workers on board.
Ørsted is committed to maximizing the involvement of American workers, contractors, suppliers, and vessels in their projects as the U.S. industry continues to develop.
They are proud that the South Fork Wind project is providing employment opportunities for hundreds of American mariners and union workers in various roles at sea.
Bryan Stockton, the head of regulatory affairs for Ørsted, emphasized that their offshore work complies with the provisions of the Jones Act, which governs maritime commerce in the United States.
On this day, Smith expressed his opinion that there were no obvious violations of the Jones Act, no “smoking gun.” However, he pointed out that in order to build a strong case against the Jones Act, the association would have to go through several stages of activity, which could involve monitoring a ship for weeks, if not months.
This would include observing the loading of merchandise onto a ship in a port, its transportation to an offshore site, and its return when empty.
In the past, the association has also conducted checks on oil and gas sites for the presence of foreign vessels. As a matter of fact, it recently chartered the Enforcer from Harvey Gulf International Marine in late 2021.
It is worth noting that both wind and oil and gas companies have the option to seek waivers to the Jones Act, citing reasons such as national defense or unavailability of U.S. vessels.
Alternatively, they can obtain a ruling from Customs that allows for a specific transaction to be carried out using a foreign vessel.
However, Smith expressed his concern that offshore wind developers may be disregarding the true intent of the act. He worries that if investors believe they will have to compete against foreign vessels with lower day rates, they may hesitate to finance the construction of offshore ships.
This could create a vicious cycle where developers continue to rely on foreign vessels due to the unavailability of U.S. vessels, perpetuating the problem.
Overall, Smith’s remarks shed light on the complexities surrounding the enforcement of the Jones Act in relation to offshore wind development, highlighting the potential challenges and concerns faced by industry stakeholders.
The association aims to break the cycle of missed opportunities as the offshore wind energy industry gains momentum, according to Smith.
Federal officials are projecting the review of at least 16 construction and operations plans for commercial offshore wind energy facilities by 2025.
Smith emphasized the significant amount of work that could potentially be undertaken in this field, which would consequently create numerous well-paying jobs. This presents a tremendous opportunity for the industry to thrive and contribute to the economy.
Randy Adams, the owner of Sea Support Ventures in Cut Off, Louisiana, expressed his concerns about the industry potentially missing out on wind farm projects.
While he acknowledges that his company is not being entirely excluded, he feels they are not being given the priority they deserve.
Smith plans to keep the Jones Act Enforcer, a vessel used for enforcing the Jones Act, berthed at the port of New Bedford, Massachusetts until August.
During this time, he intends to visit two commercial-scale wind farm sites. Ørsted is in the process of installing 12 turbines, while Vineyard Wind is constructing a wind farm with 62 turbines located 15 miles off the Massachusetts coast.
Vineyard Wind released a statement affirming that their project adheres to all U.S. laws, including the Jones Act. They also expressed their full support for the American maritime and shipbuilding industry.
Prior to its arrival in Massachusetts, the Enforcer was stationed off the coast of Virginia, where Dominion Energy plans to develop an offshore wind farm. Smith was monitoring the area to determine if foreign vessels were conducting surveys for unexploded ordnance.
Despite at least four of his member companies bidding for the job, Smith confirmed that foreign vessels were indeed engaged in the surveying process.
According to Smith, the association’s main objective is to break the cycle of missed opportunities as the offshore wind energy industry gains momentum.
Federal officials are predicting the review of at least 16 construction and operations plans for commercial offshore wind energy facilities by 2025.
Smith emphasized the significant amount of work that could potentially be undertaken in this field, which would consequently create numerous well-paying jobs. This presents a tremendous opportunity for the industry to thrive and contribute to the economy.
Randy Adams, the owner of Sea Support Ventures in Cut Off, Louisiana, expressed his concerns about the industry potentially missing out on wind farm projects.
Although he acknowledges that his company is not being completely excluded, he feels that they are not being given the priority they deserve.
Smith plans to keep the Jones Act Enforcer, a vessel used for enforcing the Jones Act, berthed at the port of New Bedford, Massachusetts until August.
During this period, he intends to visit two commercial-scale wind farm sites. Ørsted is currently in the process of installing 12 turbines, while Vineyard Wind is constructing a wind farm with 62 turbines located 15 miles off the Massachusetts coast.
Vineyard Wind released a statement affirming that their project adheres to all U.S. laws, including the Jones Act. They also expressed their full support for the American maritime and shipbuilding industry.
Before arriving in Massachusetts, the Enforcer was stationed off the coast of Virginia, where Dominion Energy plans to develop an offshore wind farm.
Smith was monitoring the area to determine if foreign vessels were conducting surveys for unexploded ordnance. Despite at least four of his member companies bidding for the job, Smith confirmed that foreign vessels were indeed engaged in the surveying process.