An accident occurred Wednesday around 19:00 at the Port of Rostock involving a turbine monopile foundation weighing 800 tons slipping out out of its support while being lifted and crashing down between the quay and service vessel Svenja. The monopile was intended for British offshore wind farm Hornsea 1.

The cause of the incident has not yet been identified, however, German authorities (BSU) have started an investigation and impounded Svenja at the port. According to local media, one person incurred a small arm injury from the accident, which caused damage to two monopiles as well as to the quay. A tentative estimate of the damage involves a figure of approximately EUR 500,000.

German monopile producer EEW published a short announcement about the incident. This explanation informed that, as the monopile was damaged during load-out, it was "beyond our company's control", adding that firm responsible for loading had not been hired by the EEW.

Ørsted contracted Geosea, which purchased installation company A2Sea last year from the Danish energy company and Siemens Wind Power, to install turbines totaling 1,218 MW capacity at what will become the world's largest offshore wind farm upon its expected commissioning in 2020. More than half of these foundations are currently installed.

A spokesperson from Ørsted says, according to sector media Renews, says that the accident in Rostock will not have a significant impact on the project's time frame.

English Edit: Daniel Frank Christensen

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