Technology Qualification & Development Programme - Synthetic Fibre Rope - Stage 1 2022

Project Context Synthetic mooring lines, typically ropes, can be an enabling component for a range of floating wind projects. In shallow waters such as those in the UK, highly compliant materials such as nylon are desirable. These newer materials are highly non-linear in their fatigue and elongation responses and are less well characterised to date particularly at the scale needed for FOW. For deeper projects, polyester and HMPE may be favourable, and stiffer materials could be used as mooring tendons for tension leg platforms. Technologies of particular interest to the FOW CoE at this time are: Highly compliant rope (Nylon) Ropes developed to withstand long-term contact with the seabed Ropes with integrated buoyancy within the rope cross-section