Advances in Marine Operations for the Installation and Maintenance of Floating Offshore Energy and Aquaculture Systems

The global demand for renewable energy and sustainable food production is intensifying, driving increased interest in floating offshore technologies as critical enablers for utilizing deeper waters and more remote marine environments. Floating offshore wind, wave, and solar energy systems, alongside offshore aquaculture installations, are expanding into harsher and more exposed locations where fixed structures are not feasible. However, the safe, efficient, and cost-effective deployment and operation of these systems pose significant technical and operational challenges. Marine operations—spanning installation, inspection, maintenance, repair, and decommissioning—play a pivotal role in ensuring system performance, reliability, and long-term viability. As the scale and complexity of floating offshore infrastructure grows, so does the need for advanced methodologies, vessels, and technologies capable of supporting these operations safely and sustainably throughout the system lifecycle.This special issue aims to bring together cutting-edge research and practical advancements in marine operations for floating offshore energy and aquaculture systems. The goal is to advance the state of the art in installation, inspection, maintenance, repair, and decommissioning of these systems, addressing the technical and operational challenges that arise from harsh and uncertain marine environments. We particularly encourage interdisciplinary contributions that integrate engineering, oceanography, operations research, and digital technologies such as AI and simulation-based optimization, in order to develop safer, more efficient, and more cost-effective approaches to marine operations. By bringing together theoretical, applied, and review-based studies, this issue seeks to build a comprehensive body of knowledge that supports the offshore industry in overcoming operational barriers and accelerates the transition toward sustainable, ocean-based solutions for energy and food production.We welcome contributions addressing (but not limited to) the following themes: installation methodologies and logistics for floating offshore systems; marine operations under harsh and uncertain environmental conditions; vessel design and operational strategies for offshore handling; digitalization, automation, and remote monitoring; inspection, maintenance, and repair (IMR) techniques; risk assessment, safety, and reliability; mooring, anchoring, and station-keeping challenges; and environmental impacts and sustainability considerations. Case studies from floating wind, wave, and solar farms, as well as offshore aquaculture, are especially encouraged. Both theoretical and applied studies, as well as comprehensive reviews and real-world case studies, are welcome. All submissions will undergo a rigorous peer-review process in accordance with the standards of Frontiers in Marine Science. We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this evolving field. Topic editors: Karl H Halse, Zhen Gao, George Lavidas, Amrit Verma Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84943/advances-in-marine-operations-for-the-installation-and-maintenance-of-floating-offshore-energy-and-aquaculture-systems