2014) is available (Krause 2014; Kühn and Schneehorst 2014). A similar collection
of information regarding the impact of oil rigs on the environment exists (e.g.
Kingston 1992; Olsgard and Gray 1995) as well as from other offshore structures.
However, when decommissioning these structures after their expected lifetime, the
impact on the ecosystem can be quite diverse. That includes the fact that restoration
of habitats may lead to a severe impact of organisms associated with the reef
structure (Claisse et al. 2015; see also “Rigs-to-Reefs” program in Chap. 1 of this
volume; Reggio 1987). Therefore, not only the impact of structures on marine
habitats alone but also in combination depending on their respective use should be
taken into account in future projects and/or commercial realisation.
14.3.3 Ownership and Insurance
As already addressed in Chaps. 10 and 13 ownership is an emerging issue currently
not solved. Krause et al. (2011) indicated the importance of the social dimension of
the different mariculture-wind farm integration processes and how this develops
with regard to the various forms of ownership and management such a venture
might take. The ownership versions discussed in Chap. 13, (1) sole owner,
(2) negotiated contract, and (3) legislated contract, are only three possibilities
among even more. Finally, for all current offshore users the political allocation of
ocean space is licensed for specific purposes only not in combination with
multi-users. In the future, there should be a new version of assignments of ocean
space to avoid a complex mix of ownership, associated commons and private
property.
The issue of having a shared insurance or every stakeholder its own insurance
has not been addressed. This is even more complicated if the multi-use installation
is owned or operated by one legal entity and a problem arises with one use having
an effect on the other use (e.g. aquaculture installations will be dislodged during
storm conditions and get entangled in the ships propeller of the wind farm maintenance vessel). There is an urgent need to come up with potential solutions.
14.4 Future Challenges and Opportunities
The combination of several activities (e.g. renewable energy, aquaculture, maritime
transport, and related services) in the same marine space, including in multi-use
platforms, it is quite possible that the costs of offshore operations and the demand
on the space needed can be reduced. The research on multi-use platforms funded
under the EU-Initiative FP7 call “The Oceans of Tomorrow” has already provided
promising designs, technological solutions and models for combining activities in
terms of economic potential and environmental impact. However, before reaching a
398
B.H. Buck and R. Langan
of information regarding the impact of oil rigs on the environment exists (e.g.
Kingston 1992; Olsgard and Gray 1995) as well as from other offshore structures.
However, when decommissioning these structures after their expected lifetime, the
impact on the ecosystem can be quite diverse. That includes the fact that restoration
of habitats may lead to a severe impact of organisms associated with the reef
structure (Claisse et al. 2015; see also “Rigs-to-Reefs” program in Chap. 1 of this
volume; Reggio 1987). Therefore, not only the impact of structures on marine
habitats alone but also in combination depending on their respective use should be
taken into account in future projects and/or commercial realisation.
14.3.3 Ownership and Insurance
As already addressed in Chaps. 10 and 13 ownership is an emerging issue currently
not solved. Krause et al. (2011) indicated the importance of the social dimension of
the different mariculture-wind farm integration processes and how this develops
with regard to the various forms of ownership and management such a venture
might take. The ownership versions discussed in Chap. 13, (1) sole owner,
(2) negotiated contract, and (3) legislated contract, are only three possibilities
among even more. Finally, for all current offshore users the political allocation of
ocean space is licensed for specific purposes only not in combination with
multi-users. In the future, there should be a new version of assignments of ocean
space to avoid a complex mix of ownership, associated commons and private
property.
The issue of having a shared insurance or every stakeholder its own insurance
has not been addressed. This is even more complicated if the multi-use installation
is owned or operated by one legal entity and a problem arises with one use having
an effect on the other use (e.g. aquaculture installations will be dislodged during
storm conditions and get entangled in the ships propeller of the wind farm maintenance vessel). There is an urgent need to come up with potential solutions.
14.4 Future Challenges and Opportunities
The combination of several activities (e.g. renewable energy, aquaculture, maritime
transport, and related services) in the same marine space, including in multi-use
platforms, it is quite possible that the costs of offshore operations and the demand
on the space needed can be reduced. The research on multi-use platforms funded
under the EU-Initiative FP7 call “The Oceans of Tomorrow” has already provided
promising designs, technological solutions and models for combining activities in
terms of economic potential and environmental impact. However, before reaching a
398
B.H. Buck and R. Langan