This article is based on a published PES Wind article
Closing the digital gap in offshore energy
GustoMSC InSide
Oktober 2025
Reading time: ± 3 min
Why digital transformation is no longer optional in the push for safer,
smarter and more sustainable offshore operations
As global demand for affordable, secure and sustainable energy continues to rise, the offshore energy market – spanning both wind and oil & gas – is under mounting pressure to innovate. After years of growth driven by hardware advancements, from larger turbines to more powerful rigs and vessels, the sector now faces a new frontier: digitalization.
While software, sensors, and data analytics are often hailed as transformative, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Many offshore operations – whether in renewables or oil and gas, installation, maintenance or production – still rely heavily on manual, paper-based processes. Data is often recorded by hand, stored in silos, and disconnected from other systems. This limits transparency, reduces accuracy, and slows decision-making.
At the same time, much of the heavy lifting – literally and operationally – is still done by human operators, with limited automation or integration across systems. This slows down workflows, increases the risk of errors, and undermines efficiency. The opportunity for smarter, safer and more cost-effective operations is clear – but still largely untapped.
Designed by GustoMSC, Shimizu’s Blue Wind installation jack-up is equipped with GustoMSC’s jacking systems and telescopic crane. The equipment is set for efficient digital operations, enhancing the overall performance of the jack-up
Beyond the buzzwords
Digital transformation in offshore energy should not be reduced to vague promises. Instead, the focus must shift to practical solutions that generate real-time insights, streamline operations and empower stakeholders – from vessel operators to engineers and regulators – with actionable data. Automated reporting, predictive maintenance, digital twin technology and integrated control systems are no longer futuristic ideas; they are necessary tools for staying competitive and compliant.
The oil and gas sector has already made strides in these areas, leveraging decades of IIoT development to enhance safety, reduce downtime, and improve asset integrity. Offshore wind, a newer player, can benefit from this experience – but it must overcome its own set of challenges: fragmented systems, a shortage of digital talent, and slower policy support for tech adoption.
Regulatory frameworks and limited investment environments – especially in Europe – often create additional friction. Compared to onshore industries, offshore operations are more complex to digitize, given their harsh environments, remote locations, and strict safety requirements.
A cross-sector opportunity
Players like GustoMSC, part of NOV, are uniquely positioned to help bridge this divide. With deep experience in both offshore wind and oil & gas, and a long track record of engineering equipment and platforms, GustoMSC combines hardware innovation with digital intelligence. By integrating operational data and advanced analytics into mobile offshore units, they help clients enhance performance, reduce emissions, and improve safety – regardless of the energy source.
The path forward
Digitalization is not a nice-to-have. It’s a prerequisite for scaling up offshore energy – whether the goal is reducing costs, improving ESG performance, or accelerating the energy transition. If the sector is to meet global energy demands while staying profitable and sustainable, it must invest not just in new hardware, but in smarter systems and data-driven ways of working.
Now is the time to act – before the digital gap becomes a competitive one.
This is just the beginning.
Together with our partners, we are striving to close the digital gap in offshore energy – step by step, system by system. In the articles that follow, we share how we’re working across the sector to turn data into decisions, and digital ambition into operational reality.
Join us on the journey towards true digital maturity.
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GustoMSC
Unlocking Offshore Potential
We provide offshore designs, reliable equipment and engineering solutions. Building on decades of experience and technical expertise in offshore energy, we turn innovative ideas into practical offerings. Together, we navigate the evolving offshore domain and harness its potential to build a resilient future.
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