Fact sheet 2: Anchors and moorings

What are anchors and moorings?

Anchor and mooring systems are used to secure floating offshore wind turbines to the seafloor, ensuring
that they remain in the desired location. Mooring systems connect the anchor to the turbine and consist
of sections of chain and synthetic rope.

Overall description
Anchor and mooring systems fix the floating turbine structure to the
seabed to ensure it remains in place.
Mooring connector
There are four main types of anchors for floating offshore wind:
• Drag embedment anchors
Load-reduction device • Suction piles,
• Gravity anchors, and
• Driven piles.
Mooring lines are used to connect the anchor to the floating turbine
structure. Mooring systems are typically composed of various steel
chain sections alternating with some sections composed of synthetic
Tri-plate fibre rope, usually polyester or nylon. Chain sections are often a
Mid-line buoyancy combination of different suitable steel grades, with specific grades
element
outlined further on page 3. The most common chain and rope
configuration is a ground line and an upper section both consisting
Clump weight of chain and a middle section consisting of fibre rope. The upper and
ground lines are made of heavy and durable steel chain as they are
subject to higher loads. The middle portion is made of lighter, elastic
synthetic fibre which enables the damping of forces and allows for
relatively easier transport and handling than the chain sections.
Tri-plate

In-line tensioner Shackle Drag embedment

anchor

Clump weights
Anchors and moorings: Main subcomponents
Anchors: Drag embedment Anchors: Suction pile Anchors: Driven pile
Description: Drag embedment anchors consist of various Description: Suction pile anchors consist of a tubular steel Description: Driven pile anchors for floating offshore wind
steel plates welded together. They secure the floating component which is capped at the top. The cap contains are typically tubular piles that are driven into the seabed using
turbine to the seabed by embedding themselves into a valve that assists with embedment. Most of the anchor’s an impact or vibro-hammer, similar to fixed offshore wind
the seafloor through drag forces. They are the cheapest penetration occurs under its own weight, after which a piles. Driven piles are difficult to recover as they are securely
anchor solution for floating offshore wind and the anchors remotely operated vehicle (ROV) can be used to pump water embedded and grouted into the sea floor. Driven piles can be
are easily recoverable. Drag embedment anchors are out of the pile through the valve, causing greater suction used over a range of seabed conditions including rocky or hard
most suited where the seabed consists of cohesive and completing the embedment. Recovery of suction piles is ground.
sediment that will allow for anchor embedment. simple, being the reverse of installation. They are best suited
Sub-components: Steel tubular, pile cap, shackle.
for ground that is solid enough to maintain suction but not
Sub-components: Steel plate, shackle.
hard enough to impede embedment. Applicable standards: DDNV – ST – 0126, DNV – ST – 0119.
Applicable standards: DNV – RP – E302, DNV – ST – 0119.
Sub-components: Steel tubular, cap with valve, shackle. Typical weights: 40 – 100 tonnes.
Typical weights: Current designs are in the range of 30
Applicable standards: DNV – RP – E303, DNV – ST – 0119. Typical dimensions: Approximate OD of 5 m, height of 40 m.
– 40 tonnes. The expectation is that future designs will be
in the range of 24 – 30 tonnes, with more mooring lines Typical weights: 60 – 100 tonnes.
used. This is to increase the handleability of the anchors.
Typical dimensions: Approximate outer diameter (OD) of
Typical dimensions: Typically drag embedment anchors 10 m, height of 35 m.
will be in the range of 6 m x 6 m x 6 m.

Anchors: Gravity
Description: Gravity anchors use their mass to secure an
object to the seabed, rather than embedding themselves in
the seafloor. They therefore tend to be much heavier than
other anchor types. This makes them harder to transport
Anchors: Installation and manoeuvre than other anchor types, so are generally not
preferable. Gravity anchors are suited for all soil conditions
Anchor handling vessels (AHVs) can be used to install all anchor types and have deck space to except very loose soils.
carry four to six anchors per trip. AHVs are equipped with winches, stern rollers and cranes.
Sub-components: Concrete mass, shackle.
Drag embedment anchors are launched from the vessel using winches and a stern roller.
Applicable standards: DNV-OS-E301, DNVOS-C101, DNV – ST
Suction and driven piles are placed onto the seabed using cranes. Driven piles are embedded into – 0126.
the seabed using an impact or vibro-hammer. Suction piles embed themselves onto the seafloor
Typical weights: 600 – 1000 tonnes.
with an ROV then pumping water out of the pile to generate greater suction. AHV capacity is a key
factor in maximum anchor mass and therefore the number of mooring lines specified. Typical dimensions: 10 – 20 m diameter.
Anchors and moorings: Main subcomponents
Moorings: Chain Moorings: Synthetic rope Moorings: Jewellery
Description: Chain sections normally Description: Synthetic rope typically comprises Description: A range of items that are attached to mooring lines either to
comprise the upper and ground lines of the the middle section of the mooring system, which connect sections of a line or items that may be connected along the length of the
mooring system. The upper chain section experiences the least amount of load. Synthetic rope line. See page 6 for a detailed description of each component. Jewellery includes:
should be larger than the ground line due to is light and dynamic, enabling flex. An eyelet must be 1. Buoyancy elements
being subject to the greatest loads. Chains placed at each end of the fibre rope to allow connection
2. Clump weights
are manufactured in stud-link and stud-less with the chain sections.
varieties. Stud-link is better at preventing knot 3. Shackles
Fibre ropes are typically made from polyester or nylon.
formation but is more expensive than stud- 4. In-line tensioners
Polyester is used due to its strength and durability.
less links, which are less sensitive to fatigue 5. Load reduction devices
Nylon is lighter and more flexible than polyester while
loading.
providing similar durability, however it is significantly 6. Mooring connectors, and
Sub-components: H-link shackle. more expensive than polyester. 7. Tri-plates
Applicable standards: DNV – OS – E302. Sub-components: Rope, eye loop. Further details on these components are found on page 6.
Typical weights: 500 – 700 kg per link. Applicable standards: DNV-OS-E303, DNV – RP – E305. Applicable standards: DNVGL-RU-OU-0512, DNV-OS-E301
Typical dimensions: OD approximately 160 Typical weights: Up to approximately 50 kg per meter. Typical weights: Weights and sizes vary between elements and designs, but can
– 220 mm, length approximately 1,100 – range from 250 kg to 10 tonnes
Typical dimensions: OD from 100-300 mm, lengths
1,500 mm and width approximately 550 –
from 200 – 1,600 m. Typical dimensions: Weights and sizes vary between elements and designs. See
740 mm.
page 6 for more detail.

Moorings: Installation
AHVs are used to support mooring hook-up. The lower section of the mooring line, often chain, is connected
7 1
to the anchor during installation:
• For drag embedment anchors it is attached before the anchor is embedded, as the attachment point is
below the sea bed once it is embedded.
4
• For suction and piled anchors, it is attached after the anchor is installed.
2 3
2
If there is a section of synthetic fibre rope in the mooring line, this section would not be connected at this
time.
A submersible marker buoy is connected to the end of the mooring line to support retrieval for later hook-
up operations.
Anchors and moorings: Design data
Component/Sub- Cost range Material Typical mass Typical dimensions Design considerations
component
Mooring lines
Chain Approx. R3, R3S, R4, 500 – 700 kg per link Exact dimensions will depend on link diameter used Class societies are starting to market their
£2,000 to R4S or R5 depending on link OD approximately 160 – 220 mm own grades of steel that require specific
£5,000 per steel bar diameter mills that are certified to the required
Length approximately 1,100 – 1,500 mm
tonne specifications
Width approximately 550 – 740 mm
Different chain sections will typically
Full chain section lengths depend on water depth, but require different steel grades
are typically in the range of 30 – 150 m
Synthetic rope Approx. £800 Polyester or Approximately 4 – 40 OD approximately 170 mm Ropes typically consist of 8 – 12 strands of
to £3,000 per nylon tonnes depending Length will depend on water depth, however material
meter on rope length manufacturers can typically expect requirements of
approximately 200 – 1,600 m
Anchors
Drag Approx. Welded S355 24 – 40 tonnes 6mx6mx6m Must be designed to meet the
embedment £4,000 to steel plate requirements of DNV-RP-E301 and DNV-
£5,000 per RP-E302, or other applicable standards.
tonne This will vary based on ground conditions
at sites
Suction pile Approx. Rolled and 60 – 100 tonnes Up to approximately 10 m OD by 35 m length Must be designed to meet the
£3,000 to seam welded requirements of DNV-RP-E303, or other
£4,000 per S355 steel applicable standards. This will vary based
tonne plate on ground conditions at sites
Driven pile Approx. Rolled and 40 – 100 tonnes Up to approximately 5 m OD by 40 m length A specific design requirement standard
£3,000 to seam welded is not available for driven piles, but
£4,000 per S355 steel the overall structure must meet the
tonne plate requirements of DNVGL-ST-0119
Gravity anchor Approx. Concrete and 600 – 1,000 tonnes 10-20 m diameter As above
£1,000 to rebar
£2,000 per
tonne
Anchors and moorings: Design data
Component/Sub- Cost range Material Typical mass Typical dimensions Design considerations
component
Mooring jewellery
Buoyancy Large range depending on size. Polyurethane Large range, Large range, typically Flotation devices, which can provide several tonnes of
elements £500 per unit to £5,000 per unit foam core and typically from 1 cubic metre to 4 cubic uplift each, and are attached to mooring lines. Their
polyethylene hundreds of metres function is either to lift the lower section of the mooring
coating kilograms to many line above the sea bed to prevent damage or to fine tune
tonnes the compliant response by forming a multi-catenary shape
Clump weights Large range depending on size. Cast iron or In the range of 250 There is no standard Masses, which can be several tonnes each, and are
Approximately £1,000 to £3,000 carbon steel kg to 10 tonnes design configuration for attached to mooring lines to tune the compliant response
per tonne per weight clump weights. They are
generally barrel shaped
In-line tensioner Large range depending on size Welded steel Large range, Large range, typically A simpler alternative to a powered winch to adjust the
and application. Approximately plate typically from 1 cubic metre to 4 cubic tension in a mooring system which would sit on the sea
£2,000 to £10,000 per tonne many tonnes metres bed for the life of the project
Load reduction Large range depending on size Cast and Hundreds of kilos Usually tubular design, These devices modify the mooring stiffness response to
devices and application. £2,000 per fabricated steel, to several tonnes approximately 3 to 7 m reduce mooring dynamic loads. They come in many forms,
tonne to £10,000 per tonne concrete ballast, long with OD of 3 to 5 m including gravitational, elastomeric and compressive
polyurethane devices
foam
Mooring Large range depending on size R3, R3S, R4, R4S, Approximately 2.5 Approximately 500 – The simplest mooring connector design is simply a shackle.
connector and application. £1,000 per unit R5 steel – 7 tonnes 750 mm in width, 1,300 – Traditional designs tend to bolt the mooring lines to pad
to £25,000 per unit 1,800 mm in length and eyes on the foundation. Mooring connectors must be able
500 – 700 mm in depth to withstand the fatigue and ultimate mooring loads
Shackles Large range depending on size. R3, R3S, R4, R4S, Approximately 2.5 Approximately 500 – Used to attach the mooring line to the anchor, different
Approximately £3,000 per tonne R5 steel – 7 tonnes 750 mm in width, 1,300 – sections of mooring together, or the mooring line to the
1,800 mm in length and floating substructure. The shackle should be designed to
500 – 700 mm in depth withstand at least 120 tonnes of load. H-link shackles are
preferred, but other types (like swivel shackles) can be
used
Tri-plate Large range depending on size. R3, R3S, R4, R4S, Approximately 1 – Triangular plate with Flat plates with three holes, used to allow connection
Approximately £3,000 per tonne R5 steel 2 tonnes sides of approximately of two sections of mooring line with a clump weight or
550 – 600 mm and buoyancy element
thickness 200 – 250 mm
Anchors and moorings: Manufacture
Typical manufacturing process Component materials
Anchors • For drag embedment, suction and driven pile anchors:
• To manufacture a drag embedment anchor, steel plates are cut into desired profiles and welded together for the final plates of S355 grade steel.
profile. Most drag embedment anchors will consist of flat plate, but depending on design, rolled steel may be required. • Concrete and rebar for gravity anchors.
• Gravity anchors are constructed by forming concrete around steel rebar framework. • For chains: R3, R3S, R4, R4S and R5 grade steel bar
• Driven piles are made from seam welded rolled steel plate, with sections welded together to make a full length. stock.
• Suction piles are made in a similar way to driven piles but tend to be shorter and larger diameters. • Polyester or nylon fibre rope for mooring lines.
Moorings
• Chains are manufactured from individual lengths of bar stock. Bar stock is heated, formed, welded, shaped, heat treated
and coated. Chain accessories are quenched and tempered to match the same mechanical properties as the chain.
Manufacture facility
• Synthetic ropes are formed by intertwining synthetic strands. The thicker the rope, the more energy is required in its
production.
requirements
Anchor manufacture facilities require the typical equipment
• Jewellery manufacture varies based on the component type, but are generally steel components made through forging, or needed for steel fabrication:
plate welding.
• CAD and CNC software
• CNC cutters and machining equipment
• Press brakes
• Roll forming machines
• Lifting equipment
• Induction pipe bending machines
• Various drills, grinders and saws
• Surfacing equipment
• Welding equipment, and
• If in-house coating is desired, coating equipment.
Mooring chain requires the above as well as heat treatment
equipment.
Slip forming, or concrete casting equipment is needed for
gravity anchors.
Fibre rope manufacture requires:
• Extrusion machines
• Twisting or braiding equipment
• Tensioning and spooling equipment
• Cutting and splicing equipment, and
• Oven for curing/heat setting.
• Mooring and anchor systems consist of very heavy
Drag embedment anchor after flat plate welding and weld finishing. Mooring quick connector assembly. components, suitable lifting and handling equipment
Image courtesy of Bruce Anchor. All rights reserved. Image courtesy of First Subsea. All rights reserved. will be required.
Anchors and moorings: Market
Available market Route to market
Anchors and moorings will be required on all floating foundations. The number of mooring lines/anchors will • Anchor and mooring systems make up a portion of the balance of plant
depend on foundation design, but three to five is typical. The forecasts below are based on BVGA’s predictions, costs of a development.
accounting for project pipeline, national targets, and expected growth in wind turbine rating. In 2035 the • Anchor and mooring system manufacturers will need to source standard
combined Scotland, UK and EU market accounts for 57% of the global floating market. steel forms and synthetic fibre ropes to assemble components.
• Anchors can be fabricated anywhere in the world quayside, which can
Number of anchors and moorings

then be used as a marshalling facility for other turbine components to

provide flexibility to the project.
• As floating offshore wind is not yet as developed as fixed offshore wind,
there is not yet a typical buyer of anchor and mooring systems. Most
floating wind developers are consortiums that have yet to settle on
purchasing responsibilities.
• Incumbent suppliers of anchors include Delmar Vryhof, Bruce Anchor,
Swift Anchors and Subsea Micropiles.
• Incumbent suppliers of mooring solutions include Bridon Bekaert,
InterMoor and Mooreast.

The table below shows forecast values for ScotWind and INTOG projects based on an 18 MW turbine capacity. Designs of mooring systems for these
projects are not confirmed, therefore a typical 5 mooring line semi-sub design has been used as a representative case study design. The arrangement of
subcomponents is as shown on page 1.
Accreditation / regulatory landscape
Component Assumption Forecast for ScotWind / INTOG* Mooring chain and accessories are subject to visual and non-destructive
ScotWind INTOG testing (NDT). Suppliers must prepare written procedures for NDT, and all
NDT personnel must be qualified and certified according to ISO 9712.
Anchors 5 per floating turbine 5,355 units 1,530 units
Anchors must be subjected to proof-load testing on-site.
Chain Used for 50% of the mooring line 80, 325 m 34,425 m Fibres ropes must satisfy breaking loads as per DNVGL-OS-E303.
Synthetic rope Used for 50% of the mooring line 80,325 m 34,425 m There are many DNVGL standards which apply to anchor design, including but
not limited to:
Jewellery systems 5 per floating turbine, containing the below compo- 5,355 systems 1,530 systems
nents
• DNVGL-ST-0119 • DNV-RP-E303
Shackles 1 per mooring line 5,355 units 1,530 units
• DNV-ST-0126 • DNV-OS-E301
Tri-plates 2 per mooring line 10,710 units 3,060 units • DNV-RP-E301 • DNV-OS-C101
Clump weights 2 per mooring line 10,710 units 3,060 units • DNV-RP-E302 • DNV-RP-C205

In-line tensioners 1 per mooring line 5,355 units 1,530 units For a product to be used on an offshore wind farm (particularly one as
Mooring connectors 1 per mooring line 5,355 units 1,530 units critical as the mooring system) it is likely developers will require independent
verification.
Buoyancy elements 1 per mooring line 5,355 units 1,530 units

*this forecast is based on the entire ScotWind/INTOG capacity being installed. This number may decrease if projects are not taken forwards, or increase if
projects increase their capacity.
Anchors and moorings: Costs
Typical costs / CAPEX requirements 450 MW floating offshore wind farm
• Mooring systems cost approximately £50 million for a 450 MW floating offshore
wind farm.
lifetime costs
Lifetime 450 MW windfarm cost approximately £2,600 million.
• Anchors cost approximately £17 million for a 450 MW floating offshore wind
farm.
• This equates to 110,000 £/MW for moorings and 38,000 £/MW for anchors or
approximately £1.65 million for mooring lines and £0.57 million for anchors for a
15 MW turbine’s substructure.
• This is approximately 1.9 % of the total project cost for mooring lines and 0.7%
for anchors
• This cost is for the mooring line and anchor work packages for a typical floating
offshore windfarm as outlined in the cost assumptions. This includes lines and
anchors only, excluding accessories.
• This cost will vary significantly depending on what is included in the mooring/
anchor package, and the foundation design used.
• Costs are sourced from The Guide to a Floating Offshore Wind Farm. See for
more information and detail of all cost assumptions.

Potential user costs Support available

• The user will incur inspection, For further details on offshore
maintenance, transport, installation and wind supply chain assistance,
decommissioning costs. information, and support
• ROVs undertake mooring line and programmes available, please
contact Scottish Enterprise: Mooring lines 1.9%
anchor inspections on a 5-year interval. Anchors 0.7%
[email protected] Jewellery 0.5%
• The connections between chains and
terminations for buoyancy elements and
Development and project management Offshore substation
weights are key inspections points.
Turbine nacelle Onshore substation
• Transport costs for all anchor types is Turbine rotor Cable installation
similar, with the exception of gravity Turbine tower Mooring and anchoring pre-installation
anchors which are much more difficult Cables Floating substructure - turbine assembly
to transport due to their size. Floating substructure Floating substructure - turbine installation
Mooring lines Offshore substation installation
Anchors Other installation
Jewellery Operations and maintenance
Decommissioning
 Acknowledgements
Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland
Enterprise commissioned BVG Associates to produce a number of fact sheets on
different aspects of floating offshore wind projects. They are intended to provide
background information for companies wishing to enter the offshore wind supply
chain. Other fact sheets are available including:
Fact sheet 1: Secondary steel
Fact sheet 3: Cable protection systems
Fact sheet 4: Cables and accessories, and
Fact sheet 5: Corrosion protection

Thanks to Bruce Anchor, Delmar Systems, First Subsea and InterMoor for providing
information used in this fact sheet.

Further reading:
Guide to a Floating Offshore Wind Farm
The Guide to a Floating Offshore Windfarm provides more information on supply
element of floating offshore wind projects. It has an overview of the important
physical elements, lifecycle processes and costs of a floating offshore wind farm.
guidetofloatingoffshorewind.com
guidetofloatingoffshorewind.com/b-3-1-anchors
guidetofloatingoffshorewind.com/b-3-mooring-system
guidetofloatingoffshorewind.com/b-3-3-jewellery