The fourth partnership meeting of the DIOL (Digital Offshore Logistics) project took place on August 27-28, 2024, in Cuxhaven, Germany, further solidifying the cooperation among stakeholders in the offshore logistics and renewable energy sectors. Hosted by NPorts and held at their Cuxhaven facilities, the meeting featured key site visits and discussions that underlined the project's commitment to innovation and sustainability in offshore operations.
The meeting opened with a warm welcome from Senior Manager Marketing and Sales Dirk Leibfried and an introduction to the Port of Cuxhaven, highlighting the port's strategic role in the North Sea region's offshore wind energy supply chain. The agenda included a tour of the port facilities, providing participants with a firsthand look at the infrastructure supporting offshore logistics, including the Berth 8 & 9, and The German Offshore Base in Cuxhaven (German: Deutsches Offshore-Industrie-Zentrum, DOIZ).
A highlight of the event was the visit to the Offshore Drone Campus Cuxhaven (ODCC). The ODCC, managed by Fraunhofer IFAM a DIOL partner, is at the forefront of integrating drone technology into offshore logistics. Participants were treated to an insightful presentation by Dr. Tim Strohbach and Drone Pilot Malte Bories, followed by a live demonstration of the Voliro drone, showcasing its potential to improve the efficiency and safety of offshore operations.
Another significant visit during the meeting was to the Siemens Gamesa plant in Cuxhaven, where the company is producing a 14 MW nacelle, a key component in their latest offshore wind turbines. The tour gave the group a deeper understanding of the advanced manufacturing processes involved and Siemens Gamesa's contributions to the region's renewable energy sector.
The second day of the meeting featured a visit to the Maritimes Sicherheitskommando - Havariekommando, where the participants learned about the command's critical role in maritime safety and emergency response in the North Sea. The visit emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts in ensuring the safety of offshore operations, which also is a crucial component for the success of the DIOL project.
The meeting concluded with updates on work packages and administrative matters, ensuring that all partners are aligned on the next steps of the project. The two-day event was a testament to the collaborative spirit of the DIOL partnership, driving forward innovations in digital offshore logistics and renewable energy.
