The WrapNode-II demonstrator jacket has successfully left the Smulders-HSM yard in Schiedam and has been transported to Tree Composites in Delft, marking the successful completion of the fabrication and structural testing phase of this unique innovation project.

Over the past months, Smulders-HSM, Tree Composites and TU Delft worked closely together to fabricate and validate the world’s first offshore jacket demonstrator assembled using prefabricated composite joints. The project combines innovative composite joint technology with industrial fabrication expertise and independent structural validation to explore new ways of manufacturing offshore wind jacket foundations.

Before leaving Schiedam, the demonstrator successfully completed an extensive structural validation programme conducted together with TU Delft. The jacket successfully passed a static proof load test at 150% of the representative Ultimate Limit State (ULS) design load, followed by dynamic fatigue testing representing 35 years of offshore operation, with no signs of degradation observed in the composite joints. These results provide further confidence in the robustness and durability of the technology.

With the successful completion of fabrication and testing, the demonstrator now enters the next phase of the WrapNode-II project. At the Tree Composites facility in Delft, it will support industry demonstrations, stakeholder engagement and commercialisation activities as the consortium prepares the technology for future offshore wind applications.

This milestone reflects the craftsmanship, flexibility and close collaboration of everyone involved in the fabrication, testing, lifting and transport of the demonstrator. A sincere thank you to all colleagues at Smulders-HSM, Tree Composites and TU Delft whose dedication made this first-of-its-kind project possible.