Claxton Engineering Services
Claxton Engineering Services has been providing services for the offshore energy industries for more than 40 years and has a proven track record in offshore wind projects, particularly with the cleaning of monopiles during the installation phase.
For Inch Cape, the company provided its extensively utilised marine growth removal (MGR) tooling, supported by its UK-based team of experienced technicians, to remove marine fouling from the 54 recently installed monopile foundations.
Claxton deployed its latest MGR technology as part of Inch Cape’s transition piece installation campaign by Seaway7. Prior to each transition piece being installed, the awaiting monopile was cleaned to a depth of 13 metres from the top of the pile to approximately eight metres below the waterline. This process ensured all 54 monopiles were fully prepared for the transition piece installation and grouting.
Outcomes
Claxton’s scope of work enabled the practical application and refinement of a newly upgraded cleaning system, improving efficiency during monopile cleaning operations. Lessons learned from deployment on Inch Cape will be incorporated into future tool enhancements and operating procedures, strengthening Claxton’s offering for offshore wind projects in the UK and internationally.
The Inch Cape scope helped Claxton build its experience in large-scale offshore wind developments. This experience has enhanced the company’s understanding of project execution requirements, logistics planning, mobilisation strategies, and offshore operational efficiencies, knowledge that will be leveraged across upcoming UK offshore wind projects.
Highly skilled engineers, project managers, and offshore technicians from Claxton’s UK operations were utilised to deliver the project, ensuring the continued development of specialist expertise within the UK. This means that critical offshore wind installation capabilities will be available domestically as the sector continues to expand.
The project also accelerated the development and validation of technologies with applications beyond installation support. Claxton’s monopile cleaning systems have subsequently been integrated with the company’s abrasive cutting, drilling, and pinning technologies to create a monopile cutting and recovery solution suitable for foundation remediation and decommissioning activities. The experience gained on projects such as Inch Cape helps de-risk these innovations and creates opportunities for future deployment across both operational and end-of-life offshore wind assets.
Overall, Inch Cape has strengthened Claxton’s technical capability, provided valuable operational experience on another major UK offshore wind development, and enhanced the company’s ability to support future projects through proven technology, skilled personnel, and an expanding portfolio of specialist offshore wind services.
Quote from Claxton Engineering Services:
“Claxton has been delighted to support Seaway7 on the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm, providing our specialist marine growth removal services to enable the safe and efficient installation of transition pieces. Working alongside one of the industry’s leading offshore installation contractors is testament to the confidence placed in our proven marine growth removal technology and highly experienced offshore personnel. We are proud to contribute to the successful delivery of this landmark renewable energy project and to support the continued growth of offshore wind generation.”
August 2026
Supplier case studies
To date more than 350 UK suppliers and consultancies had helped to progress and shape the project, making it a truly collaborative effort. Click the button to read case studies about just some of those suppliers and their contribution to the project.
