Finland plans major port overhaul to accommodate offshore wind

A Letter of Intent signed between Euroports and OX2, alongside partners in the Noatun project, sets out plans to transform the existing port into a specialised hub for offshore wind construction. The facility will serve the planned Noatun North project and potentially Noatun South, up to 4GW of installed capacity and up to 250 turbines.

Koverhar Harbour is within the boundaries of the Port of Hanko, which operates multiple harbour areas.

The engineering centres on adapting Koverhar’s existing industrial port infrastructure to handle the scale and weight of modern offshore wind components. The harbour will need upgrades to enable large-scale storage, assembly, and transport operations; marshalling areas for turbine towers, blades and nacelles; and heavy-duty quays capable of supporting high loads from installation vessels and component-handling equipment.

Unlike greenfield port developments, Koverhar already has baseline infrastructure in place, which reduces the scope of civil engineering works required. However, targeted investments will be needed to optimise the site for offshore wind logistics. These are expected to include reinforced quay structures, expanded laydown areas and improved internal transport routes to accommodate oversized cargo movements.

Port complexities

The port’s role as a marshalling hub means it must support complex pre-assembly operations before components are shipped to offshore installation sites. This typically means high-capacity lifting equipment, such as heavy-lift cranes, and sufficient quayside depth and bearing capacity to handle installation vessels.

While specific technical specifications have not been disclosed, the partners emphasise that capacity must align with next-generation turbine dimensions and weights.

Operations at Koverhar are currently targeted to begin around 2030, in line with the anticipated construction schedule for Noatun North. The timeline reflects the need for phased infrastructure development, planning approvals and coordination between port authorities, logistics providers and project developers.

The collaboration also involves the Port of Hanko, which has a separate agreement with Euroports to explore long-term development of the harbour. Together, the parties aim to position Koverhar as a strategic node in the Baltic offshore wind supply chain, capable of supporting multiple large-scale projects as the sector expands.

As it stands Finland has just one operating offshore wind farm: Tahkoluoto near Pori is a tiny farm by today’s standards, with 44MW of generating capacity.