Dutch offshore wind farm narrowly avoids “potential disaster” from drifting oil tanker

The 1,500-megawatt (MW) Hollandse Kust Zuid offshore wind farm off the coast of the Netherlands has avoided a “potential disaster” after a drifting oil tanker was narrowly diverted from colliding with the wind farm this week.

Located off the Dutch coast in the North Sea, the Hollandse Kust Zuid (Dutch Coast South) offshore wind farm is jointly owned by Vattenfall, BASF, and Allianz, and operated by Vattenfall.

According to Vattenfall’s strategic communication advisor, Martin ter Braak, the 145-meter-long tanker Eva Schulte nearly collided with the wind farm this week after engine failure caused the vessel to become adrift in the North Sea.

The Eva Schulte, loaded with fuel oil and currently flying under the flag of Singapore, was adrift with 21 crew members on board amidst waves reaching five metres in storm-force winds measuring between 8 and 9 on the Beaufort scale.

“A failed anchoring attempt left the vessel just one kilometer from the wind turbines,” said ter Braak in a situation he described on LinkedIn as “tense”.

A towing connection was successfully established as a result of “the swift and courageous response” made by the Netherlands Coastguard and the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution helping to stabilise the vessel and prevent it from colliding with Hollandse Kust Zuid.

“This incident is a stark reminder of the growing complexity and risks on the North Sea,” said ter Braak.

“With increasing maritime traffic, expanding offshore infrastructure, and more frequent extreme weather events, the margin for error is shrinking.

“A heartfelt thank you to the brave teams of the [Netherlands Coastguard and the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution]. Your vigilance and professionalism safeguard lives, infrastructure, and the environment every single day.”

The incident is not the first time that Hollandse Kust Zuid has been at the centre of such maritime drama.

In early 2022, during the wind farm’s construction, the rudderless bulk carrier Julietta D drifted through the wind farm site for several hours, damaging one of the thirty-four foundations that had already been installed.

The incident came after the Julietta D suffered a hull breach after colliding with another vessel, causing the bulk carrier to take on water in the engine room, leading to the evacuation of the 18-person crew by helicopter.

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And earlier this year, the offshore supply vessel (OSV) Glomar Venture collided with the base of one of the wind farm’s turbine’s, leaving two injured crewmen.