Fabrication, Transportation, and Installation of Fixed and Floating Offshore Wind Turbines: A State of the Art Review

The rapid growth of offshore wind energy has increased the size and complexity of Offshore Wind Turbines (OWTs), making fabrication, transportation, and installation critical to project cost and schedule. However, previous studies have mostly examined these phases separately. This study presents a PRISMA-based Systematic Literature Review (SLR) of 49 peer-reviewed studies to identify key trends, challenges, and optimization opportunities in OWT construction. The review covers fixed and floating foundations, specialized installation vessels, and turbine pre-assembly strategies. Key quantitative findings reveal that weather windows vary significantly across foundation types: Tension Leg Platforms (TLPs) are limited to only 30–50% operational availability due to their high sensitivity (Hs < 0.8 m), while semi-submersibles achieve 70–85% availability with tolerance up to Hs < 2.0 m. Additionally, WTIVs capable of handling 15–20 MW turbines are projected to number only 8–10 vessels globally in 2025, creating a severe supply-demand gap that could drive day rates up by 50–100% by 2028. The findings demonstrate that construction efficiency depends on selecting methods suited to site conditions, vessel availability, technological limits, and logistical requirements. This review supports the development of safer, more efficient, and sustainable offshore wind construction practices.