Salens helps transform Atlantic Canada bulk cargo terminals into offshore wind power hubs

The Canada Atlantic bulk cargo terminal in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada has completed its transformation, refurbishing its facilities to meet the ever-changing needs of the offshore wind industry. This change is crucial for the development of future Canadian offshore wind projects, such as the Western Nova Scotia wind project. As a result, the terminal has shifted from a facility dedicated to serving the steel industry and material storage into one of the most important strategic hubs in the North Atlantic region.

Early on, Sarens, a leading company in the heavy lifting, engineering transport, and crane rental services sectors, recognized this opportunity. Sarens worked directly with the port owner to carry out industry-compliant modifications to the Canada Atlantic bulk cargo terminal. This includes ensuring that load-in and load-out operations for wind turbine blade segments and large offshore wind monopile foundations (some components weigh more than 1,900 tons per unit and exceed 100 meters in length) can be carried out safely along the quay edge.

As a first step, Sarens’ engineering team carried out ground surveys to ensure that heavy equipment could be positioned without the risk of settlement or unnecessary displacement. A high-capacity crawler crane was then mobilized to the site and equipped with a “Super Lift” pallet to balance the load. Using precise load distribution techniques, the team achieved an optimal weight distribution across the terminal platform.

Through these efforts, the terminal has successfully demonstrated its high-capacity “lift on, lift off” capability by coordinating with specialized offshore wind installation vessels and completing the load-in and load-out operations for wind turbine blade segments. Sarens also converted the quay-side area into a “roll-on, roll-off” facility. This makes it possible to use self-propelled modular transporters for a more efficient transportation method, enabling Sarens to manage the offloading and on-site transport of ultra-long components on large heavy transport vessels.

In addition to its industrial significance, the refurbishment of the Canada Atlantic bulk cargo terminal also supports the local economy. Beyond the Sarens personnel stationed on site for the past two and a half years, professional vessel crews for specialized ships—who can accommodate more than 150 workers at the same time—have also had a decisive impact on hundreds of local hotel, dining, and catering businesses. Their presence has driven growth in local restaurants, the workforce, and hotels, while also leveraging local services and consumables to support project operations.

Sarens has international experience in marshaling solutions for offshore wind farm development, having contributed to installation projects for major endeavors such as those in France by Fécamp, Saint-Nazaire, and Provence. Sarens has also managed the lifting and transport work for the foundation base of the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm outside the coast of Brittany, handling loads exceeding 1,150 tons.

More recently, Sarens has been actively involved in the receipt and loading of wind turbine monopile and turbine components for offshore wind projects along the coast of the U.S. state of Virginia. At the Morresey offshore wind farm, Sarens also took the lead in completing the marshaling and installation of 62 monopiles, each weighing 2,000 tons— the largest and heaviest ultra-large monopiles handled in the UK.

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