What is XCF?

XCF, short for X-shaped Concrete Floater, is Mareal’s innovative semi-submersible platform designed to deliver a robust and efficient solution for floating offshore wind. It blends hydrodynamic performance with industrial feasibility, making it a balanced and scalable option for large wind farm developments.

The platform’s semi-submersible configuration enhances seakeeping, reduces turbine motions, and limits mooring system sizing. Its unique X-shape enables an efficient post-tensioning strategy, increasing structural durability and cost-effectiveness. XCF is engineered to perform in demanding marine environments while being manufactured locally with minimal exposure to global supply chain risks.

At Mareal, we focus on integrating proven technologies and components to lower development risk and ensure project reliability.

Why Choose XCF as Your Partnering Support?

• Scalable Design: Optimized for turbines from 10 MW to 20+ MW, ensuring future-proof adaptability.
• Structural Efficiency: The X-shape optimizes stress distribution and post-tensioning, enhancing durability and service life.
• Local Manufacturing: Reduced exposure to international supply chain disruptions thanks to local sourcing of materials and construction.
• Environmental Responsibility: Built with concrete, XCF lowers the environmental footprint of floating offshore wind farms.

This platform addresses the growing need for high-capacity renewable energy solutions while maintaining Mareal’s commitment to sustainability, performance, and local value creation.

Mareal specializes in the structural design and analysis of fixed offshore structures, delivering robust and tailored solutions for the most demanding marine environments. Whether designing jackets for offshore substations or platforms for oil and gas facilities, our team combines decades of experience with cutting-edge simulation tools to deliver structures that meet the highest standards of safety, durability, and compliance.

Our expertise spans the entire design lifecycle—from conceptual studies to detailed execution plans—ensuring that every structure is engineered to withstand harsh offshore conditions while optimizing cost, weight, and long-term performance.

Key Services

• Lifting and Transportation Studies: Design and verification of safe handling methods for large offshore components during transport and installation phases.
• Structural Design Verification: Review and validation of structural concepts to ensure compliance with international codes (ISO, API, DNV) and project-specific criteria.
• Finite Element Modeling and Analysis: Use of advanced simulation tools to assess global and local behavior of complex offshore structures under static and dynamic loads.
• Buckling and Stability Studies: Identification and mitigation of structural instabilities, including global and local buckling risks in tubular and plated elements.
• Ship Impact and Collision-Friendly Analysis: Evaluation of accidental scenarios (vessel collision, dropped objects) and integration of energy-absorbing features to limit structural damage.
• Dynamic and Fatigue Analysis: Assessment of fatigue life under cyclic environmental loading (waves, wind, current) to prevent long-term degradation.
• Seismic Assessment: Evaluation of structural behavior under earthquake loading, in line with applicable seismic codes and site-specific requirements.

Additional Capabilities

• Global and Local Load Assessments: Evaluating the interaction of environmental and operational forces on structures to optimize performance.
• Optimization Services: Identifying opportunities for weight reduction and material efficiency without compromising safety or functionality.
• Software Expertise: In-house modeling and simulation using SACS, ABAQUS, and TEKLA, enabling integration from 3D modeling to code-checking and fatigue assessment.

Mareal supports the seamless execution of offshore projects through precise and detailed fabrication and construction drawings. Our expertise ensures that every design element is accurately translated into actionable plans, fostering efficiency and compliance throughout the fabrication and installation phases.

Key Services

• Fabrication Drawings: Developing detailed shop drawings for structural components, ensuring precision and efficiency during fabrication.
• Control Reports: Providing comprehensive documentation to verify that fabrication and construction adhere to specified standards and project requirements.
• Material Take-Offs (MTOs): Delivering precise material quantity estimates to optimize procurement and reduce waste.
• Welding and Joint Detailing: Ensuring structural soundness through carefully designed welding and joint specifications.

Additional Capabilities

• As-Built Documentation: Delivering accurate records of completed structures to support future modifications or audits.
• Interference Checks: Identifying and resolving clashes between structural components before fabrication begins.
• 3D Modeling Support: Leveraging state-of-the-art modeling tools to visualize and validate complex assemblies before physical construction.

Mareal brings a comprehensive approach to the evaluation and extension of structural lifespans. With a focus on safety and operational excellence, we ensure that offshore structures remain reliable, even in the face of evolving environmental challenges. By integrating advanced fatigue analysis with tailored retrofit solutions, Mareal helps clients mitigate risks, optimize maintenance schedules, and prolong asset life.

Key Services

• Fatigue analysis to identify potential risks to structural integrity.
• Detailed life extension assessments based on operational and extreme environmental data.
• Tailored retrofit and strengthening solutions to meet project-specific requirements.
• Structural health monitoring to optimize maintenance and enhance performance.

Additional Capabilities

• Expertise in advanced push over analysis for accurate simulations.
• Comprehensive risk assessments aligned with industry standards.
• Customized maintenance plans to reduce downtime and operational costs.
• Integration of digital tools for real-time structural performance tracking.

Mareal specializes in designing and analyzing offshore foundations, ensuring optimal stability and performance in diverse seabed conditions. By combining cutting-edge geotechnical expertise with advanced modeling tools, we deliver robust solutions tailored to withstand the unique challenges of marine environments. Our comprehensive approach guarantees that every foundation design aligns with project specifications, safety requirements, and environmental considerations.

Key Services

• Design and analysis of monopile, jacket, and gravity-based foundations.
• Seabed characterization and geotechnical assessments to determine soil behavior.
• Advanced soil-structure interaction (SSI) modeling for accurate load predictions.
• Foundation stability assessments under extreme environmental conditions.

Additional Capabilities

• Dynamic analysis to evaluate the impact of wave, wind, and operational loads.
• Optimization of installation methods to minimize environmental impact.
• Pile driving simulations to ensure precision and reduce installation risks.
• Integration of seismic analysis for projects in geologically active zones.

Mareal offers comprehensive support services to ensure your offshore projects meet the highest regulatory, safety, and operational standards. From guiding you through complex certification processes to providing expert assessments, our team is dedicated to minimizing risks and maximizing compliance. We work closely with clients to streamline procedures and ensure that every aspect of your project adheres to the industry’s strictest guidelines.

Key Services

• Preparation and submission of certification documentation for offshore structures.
• Expert assessments and audits to verify compliance with international standards.
• Liaison with certification authorities to facilitate smooth approval processes.
• Third-party reviews of structural designs, engineering plans, and project execution.

Additional Capabilities

• Tailored training programs to enhance understanding of certification requirements.
• Real-time support during inspections and audits.
• Guidance for renewable energy projects under emerging regulatory frameworks.
• Risk management strategies to address potential compliance gaps.