IOWTC 2025 – International Offshore Wind Technical Conference, Toulon

Date
October 27–29, 2025

Location
Université de Toulon, France

Mareal, part of the STAPEM Group, took part in the 6ᵗʰ International Offshore Wind Technical Conference (IOWTC 2025) held in Toulon, France, from October 27 to 29. This major international event, organized by ASME and hosted by Université de Toulon, brought together leading experts, engineers, and researchers to discuss the latest technical advances in offshore wind.

During the session dedicated to floating structures, Luc Mouton, Offshore Wind Lead at Mareal, presented an update on the XCF concrete floater – a semi-submersible platform designed to support next-generation wind turbines beyond 20 MW. Developed by Mareal’s engineering teams and supported by the STAPEM Group’s operational experience, the XCF represents a major step forward for large-scale floating wind.

From Validation to Industrial Readiness

Over the past years, the XCF has reached Technology Readiness Level 6, confirming its maturity and feasibility for deployment. The XCF design has been developed according to Bureau Veritas and DNV methodologies, including an Approval in Principle (AIP) from Bureau Veritas.

After extensive tank testing on 10 MW and 15 MW configurations, the floater has been scaled up to 22 MW, including detailed industrial studies covering fabrication, assembly, and supply chain optimization. The result is a proven, robust, and scalable solution ready to meet the challenges of future offshore wind farms.

Smart Design, Efficient Execution

Mareal’s engineering approach combines design and execution from the earliest stages of development. The XCF has been conceived with constructability in mind — modular design, realistic fabrication sequencing, cost and risk assessments, and optimized yard logistics all integrated into the concept.

This co-engineering process, carried out in collaboration with expert partners, allows the XCF to achieve a rare balance between innovation and practicality. It’s a concrete floater ready not only to perform, but also to be built efficiently at industrial scale.

Collaboration and Vision

At IOWTC 2025, Mareal showcased how engineering rigor, industrial know-how, and strategic partnerships can accelerate the deployment of floating wind. Working alongside the STAPEM Group’s marine and offshore entities, Mareal continues to bridge design excellence and field execution — ensuring reliability, performance, and long-term sustainability.