As 2025 begins Global Maritime is excited to launch the latest in its Seabed Intelligence Report (SIR) series. The Japan-Hokkaido SIR provides a detailed analysis of the key considerations for offshore wind development in a 300 km long Focus Area on the Japan Sea coast of Hokkaido that covers five Promising and two Preparation Zones, with a potential for 4 GW of capacity, designated for offshore wind under Japan’s 2018 Marine Renewable Energy Act.
Guided by our team’s understanding of the key considerations in OWF development, the jurisdiction of the Marine Renewable Energy Act and , through our recent track record and experience in the Japanese offshore wind sector the SIR assesses the seabed out to the 12 nautical mile limit considering a wide range of factors including: environmental Designations, aquaculture and fisheries, marine traffic, seabed infrastructure, and the physical environment with geology and geohazards. Consequently, key information for the development of the Ishikari City, Gan-wu and Minamishiribeshi regions (fixed and floating), Shimamaki (fixed and floating), Hiyama and Matsumae areas is provided. This will be highly valuable information for all parties seeking to pursue offshore wind in Japan.
The SIR pools and, in some cases, translates key information from diverse Japanese and international sources building up the picture within the Focus Area from the geological units, seabed sediments and constraints, environmental and other potential stakeholder conflicts. Geotechnical risks are assessed, and a site suitability analysis is conducted for a range of fundamental offshore windfarm infrastructure, including foundation types and cables.
Information provided in the SIR will allow interested parties to plan the offshore wind development process, from required studies and site investigations to concept level design.
Accompanying the detailed SIR are a series of maps and drawings presenting spatial information and interpretation of conditions within Hokkaido’s 12 nautical mile limit.
David Edwards, Global Maritime’s Japan Country Manager, commented, ‘With the selection of the winners of the Round 3 offshore wind auctions in Japan announced in late December 2024, the market is now focusing on the upcoming Round 4 auctions, which will likely take place in 2025 following a similar timeline as Round 3. The current ‘Promising Zones’, which are potential candidate areas for the Round 4 auctions, include five areas on the Japan Sea coast of Hokkaido. Following the success of previous SIR’s, Global Maritime has acted once again to provide early seabed intelligence for these areas in Hokkaido to developers targeting the Japanese offshore wind market, and to accelerate the development of offshore wind in a leading global market.’
“This is the latest in a series of SIRs Global Maritime have developed across a range of emerging and established offshore wind markets globally” Scott Cruttenden, Global Maritime’s Chief Commercial Officer commented. “Having the ability to bring value and knowledge to projects at such an early stage is a key part of the GM strategy. This, coupled with our local presence marks our continued commitment to Japan and the offshore wind sector in Japan and across the APAC region”.
Parties interested in acquiring our Japan-Hokkaido SIR should contact Scott Cruttenden and David Edwards: scott.cruttenden@globalmaritime.com; david.edwards@globalmaritime.com.
About Global Maritime
Global Maritime is a marine, offshore and engineering consultancy that specializes in marine warranty, dynamic positioning and engineering services. Known for innovation, practical experience, operational excellence, & safety.
Founded in 1979, Global Maritime’s services span the entire offshore project lifecycle from engineering & design, construction and third party verification through to marine warranty surveying, dynamic positioning, installation, risk management and decommissioning.
