On Thursday, 17 April 2025, a unique mudline corrosion experiment was deployed 500 metres offshore, near the Belgian harbour of Ostend, at the Blue Accelerator test site. A steel pipe was placed on the seabed, partially buried in mud and supported by a specialised frame. This pipe serves as a mock-up to study corrosion processes affecting offshore wind monopile foundations.
The installation was carried out by divers from Antwerp Underwater Solutions, using a vessel provided by Ostend Marine Services. Following this successful initial deployment to assess feasibility, a second pipe equipped with corrosion sensors for continuous monitoring will be installed at a later date. The experiment is planned to run for at least one year.
