Sarens Nears Completion of Major Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project
- Meagan Wood
- Apr 21
- 4 min read
30-Second Takeaway
Sarens is nearing completion of its extensive work on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project after managing large-scale marshalling and heavy lifting operations since 2023. The project involved handling hundreds of monopiles and transition pieces, complex SPMT transport operations, and major offshore substation components while meeting strict environmental and scheduling requirements.
Sarens Advances Final Phase of Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Operations
Heavy lifting and engineered transport specialist Sarens is approaching the final stage of its work on the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, one of the largest offshore wind developments currently underway in the United States.
Since operations began in 2023 at Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Sarens has been responsible for the onshore marshalling and engineering scope on behalf of Virginia International Terminals.
The project represents a major milestone in the continued expansion of offshore wind infrastructure along the U.S. East Coast.
Large-Scale Offshore Components Required Complex Handling Operations
The scale of the CVOW project required extensive heavy lifting, transport coordination, and engineering support throughout the marshalling campaign.
Sarens Managed Hundreds of Offshore Wind Components
The company handled:
176 monopiles
176 transition pieces
Pin piles
Installation templates
Three offshore substation topsides
Each offshore substation topside weighed approximately 4,000 tonnes, requiring highly coordinated lifting and transport operations.
Intensive Operations Demanded Long-Term Efficiency
To maintain operational productivity over the extended project duration, Sarens implemented several engineered handling solutions designed to improve safety, accessibility, and operational consistency.
The project required a sustained high-volume operational approach across both lifting and transport activities.
Engineered Steel Supports Improved Operational Efficiency
One of the project’s key innovations involved the use of specially engineered steel support systems for monopile handling.
Custom Support System Enhanced Accessibility and Stability
According to Sarens, the engineered supports allowed full accessibility to the monopiles while also meeting strict ground-bearing pressure requirements across the terminal site.
The solution improved operational workflow and helped maintain schedule reliability throughout the project.
Ground-Bearing Requirements Critical for Heavy Offshore Components
Given the extreme size and weight of offshore wind components, managing ground loads and operational stability formed a critical part of the engineering strategy. The custom support systems enabled safer and more efficient storage, handling, and mobilisation activities across the terminal operations.
Hundreds of SPMT Movements and Heavy Lifts Completed
The overall campaign involved an intensive series of transport and lifting operations throughout the marshalling programme.
SPMTs Played Central Role in Component Handling
Sarens completed approximately:
740 self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) movements
382 lifts using a Liebherr CC8800 crawler crane
These operations supported the movement, positioning, and load-out preparation of offshore wind components before transport to installation vessels.
Liebherr CC8800 Supported High-Capacity Lifting Operations
The Liebherr CC8800 crawler crane handled many of the project’s heaviest lifts, including major offshore infrastructure components and substation topsides.The crane’s high lifting capacity and stability were critical for maintaining operational efficiency across the demanding offshore wind campaign.
Environmental Restrictions Added Additional Project Complexity
Environmental regulations also played a major role in the scheduling and execution of offshore installation activities.
Offshore Piling Subject to Whale Migration Restrictions
Offshore piling activities had to be completed outside restricted environmental windows linked to whale migration activity along the U.S. East Coast.
These regulations created strict operational deadlines for offshore installation work.
Early Completion Helped Avoid Project Delays
Through close coordination between project stakeholders, all monopile installation activities were completed one month ahead of the required deadline.
This early completion helped avoid scheduling disruptions and ensured continued project progress.
Final Transition Piece Operations Now Underway
As of March 2026, Sarens confirmed that only ten transition pieces remain to be handled before completion of the project’s load-out activities.
Project Nearing Completion After Multi-Year Campaign
The nearing completion of the marshalling scope marks a significant milestone in one of the largest offshore wind infrastructure programmes currently under development in North America.
The CVOW project continues reflecting growing investment in large-scale renewable energy infrastructure and offshore wind capacity across the United States.
About Sarens
Sarens is a global leader in crane rental, heavy lifting, engineered transport, and infrastructure solutions. The company operates one of the world’s largest fleets of cranes and specialised transport equipment, supporting major energy, infrastructure, industrial, and offshore projects worldwide.
Sarens is heavily involved in offshore wind development projects globally, providing lifting and logistics support for renewable energy infrastructure installations.
Website:https://www.sarens.com
About Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW)
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project is one of the largest offshore wind developments in the United States. Located off the coast of Virginia, the project is designed to significantly expand renewable energy generation capacity and support the transition toward lower-carbon energy infrastructure.
The project includes large-scale offshore turbine installations, substations, and supporting marine infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project?
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project is a major offshore wind energy development located off the coast of Virginia in the United States.
What role is Sarens playing on the project?
Sarens is responsible for the onshore marshalling and engineering scope at Portsmouth Marine Terminal, including handling monopiles, transition pieces, and offshore substations.
How many monopiles has Sarens handled?
Sarens has handled 176 monopiles and 176 transition pieces during the project.
What crane is being used for lifting operations?
The project utilised a Liebherr CC8800 crawler crane for many of the heavy lifting operations.
Why were environmental restrictions important on the project?
Offshore piling activities had to avoid restricted periods linked to whale migration along the U.S. East Coast.
