Page 27: of Marine News Magazine (April 2022)

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Feature

Offshore Wind

Conference April 26-28: the offshore wind industry and iden- tify supply chain opportunities.

Business Network for Offshore Wind

In addition, N.J. has an OSW sup-

Brian Sabina leads New Jersey’s OSW economic growth programs. Sabina said N.J. works plier registry. State of? cials use it as closely with the Business Network for Offshore Wind, and in an interview about supply chain development he referenced a BNOW conference scheduled for April 26-28 in Atlantic City, their database for outreach to com-

N.J. The April event is the 2022 International Partnering Forum (IPF) at the Atlantic City panies. Just as important, out of state

Convention Center. IPF is BNOW’s premier offshore wind energy conference in North America. companies use it to search for local

The conference goal is to connect global leaders and businesses in the supply chain via suppliers. OSW is one of nine stra- networking opportunities and to provide industry updates, from technology to policy.

From even a quick check on the conference website the IPF agenda presents as an in- tegic sectors identi? ed in Governor depth resource. It’s another indicator that businesses are prepping for big work in OSW.

Murphy’s economic development

Consider attendance: 1,500 people attended last year’s conference. At this writing, plan. Sabina said businesses can con-

BNOW staff expect registration to exceed 2,000. Nearby hotels are sold out.

tact sector leadership for help with

One conference highlight is the BNOW WindMatch program, serving to directly connect

OSW questions. Again, timing is potential clients and partners. “With the rapid expansion of offshore wind, attending IPF will secure your place in the industry,” BNOW writes.

critical. Suppliers need to investigate

For New Jersey businesses, the agenda has a strong state focus, including a ports tour, opportunities at least two to three sponsored by N.J.’s Economic Development Agency, the team leading N.J.’s wind projects years in advance of when a particular and a N.J. “supply chain day.” More general topics cover standards, workforce development service or product might actually be and even a “pitch presentation,” a chance to promote innovations in the OSW ? eld. Plus, plenty of opportunities to network. This kind of interaction might be just what it takes to be needed for construction or operation.

ready for work, hopefully soon, ready to make the jump from concept to contract.

Sabina was asked about new chal- lenges for maritime operators think- ing about OSW work, but otherwise new to that ? eld. He said that if a company has experience with offshore oil and gas projects that history pro- vides insight into pivoting to OSW.

Since oil and gas is not part of New

Jersey’s offshore operations, he said operational concerns should be dis- cussed now with project developers.

He noted that Gulf-based maritime operators are coming to the state, not for temporary work, but to establish themselves in preparation for wind. “We’re seeing companies who are in the Gulf look at east coast opportu- nities for OSW and thinking about localizing their operations here. That is de? nitely happening,” Sabina said.

He referenced new partnerships and company expansions. “Those com- panies,” he commented, “recognize there’s a massive market opportunity that’s off the New Jersey shore.” 27 www.marinelink.com MN |