Sperra Seaworks Limited, supported by Bardex Energy UK Limited, has been awarded £1,000,000 in funding through The Crown Estate’s Supply Chain Accelerator (SCA) programme to advance a concept that could expand nearshore manufacturing and assembly capacity for offshore wind.
Bardex, which specialises in heavy lifting, transfer and mooring systems for offshore wind, oil and gas, shipbuilding and decommissioning, operates its UK base from South Tyneside.
The Floating Construction Station (FCS) is being evaluated as a deployable solution that could be installed at multiple UK ports to support the manufacturing, assembly, launch, and retrieval of floating wind foundations.
Early-stage feasibility for potential UK installation sites
Through SCA, the project team will complete preliminary engineering, evaluate potential installation sites, and develop plans for consenting and construction of the first full-scale FCS in the UK. This work will help determine how the FCS could be adapted for different ports across the United Kingdom.
Jason Cotrell of Sperra Seaworks Limited said:
“Floating wind in the Celtic Sea represents one of the UK’s most significant industrial opportunities. Support from The Crown Estate’s SCA programme and NOWRDC allows us to complete the engineering and feasibility studies needed to evaluate this concept and bring it to an investment ready stage.”
A nearshore construction concept for floating wind
At the centre of the project is the Floating Construction Station, a floating platform integrated with Bardex’s OmniLift® chain jack shiplift system. OmniLift® is an established and operational technology currently in use for heavy marine and industrial applications.
Ian Finch, Director, Business Development – EMEA, Bardex Energy UK Limited said:
“The Floating Construction Station, integrated with our OmniLift® system, provides a practical pathway to simplify how floating wind foundations are handled and deployed.
“Our technology is proven today in demanding environments, and we are excited to support its evaluation for the UK’s floating wind sector.”
Bardex, opened its UK base at the Quadrus Centre, in Boldon in May 2025. The new site was specifically selected to support Bardex’s plans to develop additional UK-based engineering and manufacturing capacity for its patented technologies including OmniLift™.
Bardex’s OmniLift® shiplift and transfer systems are used worldwide in demanding operational environments and support the next generation of floating offshore wind infrastructure while their BarLatch® and BarMoor® products offer safe, field-proven mooring solutions for gigawatt-scale floating wind projects.
For more information about Bardex see: https://www.bardex.com/
